Black history changemakers in sports
February is upon us and with it comes the annual celebration of Black History Month. Born from it’s origins as “Negro History Week,” created by historian Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month has been officially recognized every year since 1976. Over time, the dedication of a month to acknowledge and celebrate Black history has been adopted by other countries like the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada.
It is no secret that the widespread education of Black history has been stifled over the years, with the historically significant achievements of many influential Black figures going largely unknown by each passing generation. The only way to counter this erasure is to take the responsibility of education upon ourselves. This series is our way of exploring some of the Black changemakers that have made a lasting impact on our world. Join us as we honor them and draw inspiration from their trailblazing accomplishments that paved the way for changemakers everywhere!
The category is…Sports!
Althea Gibson: Before the Williams sisters made their undeniable stamp on the tennis world, there was Althea Gibson. In 1956, she became the first African American to win a Grand Slam title. Her accolades include being the first African American to win the US National Championships (this eventually became the US Open) in 1957, as well as becoming both the US National and Wimbledon champion in 1958. She was also a professional golfer, becoming the first African American woman to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour in 1964.
Jackie Robinson: In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African American player in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was also the first African American player to be awarded the National League Most Valuable Player in 1949. As a professional second baseman, he helped lead the Dodgers to a World Series championship in 1955. Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 and is not only remembered as a phenomenal athlete, but also as an outspoken civil rights activist.
Florence Griffith Joyner (Flo-Jo): Olympic gold medalist Flo-Jo’s 1988 world record in the 100-meter sprint (10.49 seconds) has yet to be broken. She remains the fastest recorded woman of all time and was inducted into the Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1995. During her impressive career, she also became known for her distinctive sense of style!
Bill Russell: Before Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Lebron James became household names in the NBA, Bill Russell built an impressive career leading the Boston Celtics to 11 championships in 13 seasons. In 1956, he captained the US Men’s National Basketball team to a gold medal victory at the Olympics. From 1966 to 1969, Russell became a player-coach for the Celtics, making him the first Black coach in the NBA. He also was the first Black coach to win an NBA championship, leading the Celtics to the NBA title in both 1968 and 1969.
Wilma Rudolph: As a child, Wilma Rudolph suffered from many health challenges that resulted in her being physically disabled and needing a leg brace until she was twelve years old. For years Rudolph and her mother would ride the segregated bus almost 50 miles to Nashville, Tennessee every week for treatments to regain the use of her leg. In 1960, she became the first American woman to win three gold medals at a single Olympic games. Throughout her career she broke several world records and often used her platform to advocate for civil rights.
Check out the other stories in this series.
Images: giphy.com
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