This week, U.S. President Joe Biden signed legislation into law designating King, 80, the recipient of the highest civilian honor bestowed by the U.S. Congress, which recognizes notable Americans for their services to American society and culture. President Barack Obama presented King with the President Medal of Freedom in 2009, another highest distinction granted by the President of the United States government.
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), the Democratic co-lead, first introduced the legislation into the House of Representatives in March of last year with the intention of “awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to Billie Jean King, an American icon, in recognition of a remarkable life devoted to championing equal rights for all, in sports and in society.”
King received most of her recognition for her lifetime commitment to advancing women’s rights, particularly for her unwavering support of equal pay. She served as the impetus for the US Open to become the first of the four Grand Slam competitions to provide female competitors equal prize money the following year in 1972. For a bill to pass either of the two legislative chambers, it required the support of two thirds of all the legislators present. In the House of Representatives earlier this month and the Senate in May, it garnered enough votes to pass.
Sherrill referred to leading the effort to get the bill passed as “an honor,” and Fitzpatrick said in a statement that the co-founder of the Hologic WTA Tour has “broken barriers, led uncharted paths, and inspired countless people to stand proudly with courage and conviction in the fight for what is right.” “The environment for women and girls on the court, in the classroom, and in the workplace changed as a result of Billy Jean King’s lifetime of advocacy and hard work,” she stated.
Before King, eleven male athletes—including the U.S. Olympic team from 1980—had been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. These athletes included Jack Nicklaus, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Jesse Owens, and Jackie Robinson, who shattered color barriers by becoming the first Black player in Major League Baseball.
or a specific category with our 
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.