WASHINGTON (AP) — Billie Jean King is now the first individual female athlete to receive the Congressional Gold Medal.
President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation Thursday recognizing King for “a remarkable life dedicated to championing equal rights for all, in sports and in society.”
The bill to honor King, a Tennis Hall of Famer and activist, passed unanimously in the Senate and then the House of Representatives.
The bill was introduced last September on the 50th anniversary of King’s victory over Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes,” which remains the most-watched tennis match of all time. The medal, awarded by Congress for notable achievements and contributions to society, has previously been awarded to athletes including baseball players Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente, as well as golfers Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and Arnold Palmer.
King previously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., a co-sponsor of the bill, said she had “broken barriers, opened uncharted paths and inspired countless people to proudly stand alongside with courage and conviction in the fight for what is right.
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AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
