Billie Jean King is an American former world No. 1 professional tennis player. In 1973, at age 29, she won the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match against 55-year-old Bobby Riggs. She is the founder of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and the Women's Sports Foundation.
"Everyone is unique. My struggle was for everyone to be able to be their authentic self."
Impact
King was outed in 1981, becoming the first prominent female athlete to come out as a lesbian. Despite losing all her endorsements overnight, she became a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her advocacy for women and the LGBTQ+ community. King transformed sports from a male-dominated arena into a platform for social justice, proving that excellence on the court must be matched by courage in life.