Althea Gibson
Althea Gibson (August 25th 1927 - September 28th 2003) was an American tennis player. Gibson turned pro at the age of 31 and was the first black tennis player to win Wimbledon (in 1957) and the U.S. Open (in 1958). Aside from her success, she is most remembered for breaking the color barrier in professional tennis. She won a total of five Grand Slam titles:
- U.S. Open: 1958 and 1957
- Wimbledon: 1957 and 1958
- Roland Garros: 1956
In 1957 and 1958 she was the top-ranked U.S. women's tennis player. Later in life, Gibson turned to professional golf and was the first African American woman to join the LPGA. In 1971 she was included in the prestigious Tennis Hall of Fame.
She died at the age of 76 in New Jersey to the effects of cancer.