What job did althea Gibson have?

Beginning in 1975, she served 10 years as commissioner of athletics for New Jersey State. She was also a member of the governor's council on physical fitness. But just as her early childhood had been, Gibson's last few years were dominated by hardship.

1. What did Althea Gibson do for a living?
2. What did Althea Gibson do as a kid?
3. Who was the first black person to win Wimbledon?
4. Did Althea Gibson have support from her family?
5. Did Althea Gibson get married?
6. What did Althea Gibson do after retirement?
7. Who helped Althea Gibson be successful?
8. How long did Althea Gibson play tennis?
9. How old was Althea Gibson when she moved Harlem?

What did Althea Gibson do for a living?

Althea Neale Gibson (August 25, 1927 – September 28, 2003) was an American tennis player and professional golfer, and one of the first Black athletes to cross the color line of international tennis. In 1956, she became the first African American to win a Grand Slam title (the French Championships).

What did Althea Gibson do as a kid?

Althea Gibson was born in Silver, South Carolina, on August 25, 1927. While Althea was still very young, the family moved north to New York City. Gibson was an excellent all-around athlete. She enjoyed many playground sports, including basketball, stickball (a form of baseball), and paddle tennis.

Who was the first black person to win Wimbledon?

Althea Gibson, (born August 25, 1927, Silver, South Carolina, U.S.—died September 28, 2003, East Orange, New Jersey), American tennis player who dominated women's competition in the late 1950s. She was the first Black player to win the French (1956), Wimbledon (1957–58), and U.S. Open (1957–58) singles championships.

Did Althea Gibson have support from her family?

Raised primarily in the Harlem borough of New York City, where Gibson and her family moved when she was young, her life had its hardships. Her family lived on public assistance for a time. Gibson struggled in the classroom as well, and often skipped school all together, but loved to play sports – especially ping-pong.

Did Althea Gibson get married?

Twice married, she had no children, and suffered a series of financial setbacks in her later years, but supporters rallied to help her once again when her plight became public knowledge.

What did Althea Gibson do after retirement?

Following her retirement, in 1971, Gibson was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. She stayed connected to sports, however, through a number of service positions. Beginning in 1975, she served 10 years as commissioner of athletics for New Jersey State.

Who helped Althea Gibson be successful?

In 1946, she attracted the attention of two tennis playing doctors, Hubert Eaton of North Carolina and Robert W. Johnson of Virginia, who were active in the black tennis community. Soon-to-be welterweight champion Sugar Ray Robinson and his wife, who had befriended Gibson, advised her to go South.

How long did Althea Gibson play tennis?

Gibson had a jam-packed eight-year career, with all of her major championships coming from 1956 to 1958, when she appeared in a stunning 19 major finals and won 11 titles.

How old was Althea Gibson when she moved Harlem?

Born in Silver, S.C. on August 25, 1927, Gibson and her family moved to Harlem when she was three years old. Rapidly she took to sports. Even before her teens, Gibson excelled at paddle tennis. A man named Buddy Walker saw this talented and driven young woman and handed her a tennis racquet.