A great honor for a great woman, Billie Jean King.

http://www.usopen.org/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=351961&itype=12162&icategoryid=1517

The USTA is renaming their tennis center The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

"King, who began playing tennis in the public parks of in Long Beach, CA, has been a pioneer on and off the court. She founded the Women’s Tennis Association in 1973 and the Women’s Sports Foundation in 1974. She also is the co-founder of World TeamTennis. Her dedication to advancing women’s opportunities in sports helped lead to the passage of Title IX legislation. For her many achievements, King was named by Life magazine one of the “100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century,” and placed No. 5 on Sports Illustrated’s “Top 40 Athletes.”"

"“Billie Jean King is one of tennis’ greatest heroes,” said Franklin Johnson, Chairman of the Board and President of the USTA. “Much like Arthur Ashe, for whom our showcase stadium is named, Billie Jean is a champion not only of sport, but a champion of those causes in which she so strongly believes. Her accomplishments have benefited all women in sports, as well as countless women in any number of career fields. Those things, along with her extraordinary tennis achievements, cry out for recognition, and I am thrilled that our Board unanimously agreed on renaming our National Tennis Center in her honor.”"

I am very pleased that she is being recognized like this, especially because of her work for women and for her pursuit of justice.

Edit to add a missing word

I needed to brush up on my history a bit---okay a lot, but I found this site that summarizes some of her accomplishments.
http://albie.wtt.com/about/billie1.asp

She's a great role model. Thanks for reminding me!

That was a little trip down memory lane. I remember when she beat Bobby Riggs. She's one of the first high profile women I can remember who was touted for accomplishments that didn't have anything to do with how she dressed or did her hair. I led a "sheltered" life.

I'm glad to see she received this honor and that is was "unanimous" and not controversial. We've come a little way, baby. (told you I went down memory lane.)

we share the same memories. She always amazed me, how she stood up like she did under enormous pressure to conform. She inspired me, a non conformist, to be who I was. While I was not nearly as brave as she was I did eventually get there. Her hanging tough when her marriage failed because she was in love with another woman was stunning. She held her ground. I have her autograph on a tee shirt from an AIDS tennis event I went to. I will always cherish it. Martina Navratalova was there as well and Elton John, both people who also stood up for who they are. People like them inspire me, I hope inspire others because frankly I get bored with conformity and cherish all our differences and that is exactly what Billie Jean King taught me. I cried when I read this.

Did you know that the song by Elton John "Philadelphia Freedom" was about her?