Althea Gibson Timeline

  •  1927: Born in Silver, S.C.
  •  1947: Won first of 10 consecutive American Tennis Association titles.
  •  1949: Enrolled at Florida A&M University played tennis and basketball
  •  1950: Became first black player to compete at the U.S. Championships (now U.S. Open).
  •  1951: Played in first Wimbledon.
  •  1953: Graduated from FAMU
  •  1956: Won first major singles title at French Open.
  •  1957: Won singles and doubles at Wimbledon, won singles and mixed doubles at U.S. Championships.
  •  1958: Retired from amateur tennis and published autobiography, “I Always Wanted to Be Somebody”
  •  1963: Integrated women’s golf by joining the LPGA tour, playing from 1963 to 1977
  •  1971: Inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame.
  •  1976: Inducted into inaugural class of FAMU Sports Hall of Fame
  •  2003: Died at age 76.

    Source: Associated Press, New York Times, http://www.altheagibson.com