#OTD 1957: Althea Gibson Wins Wimbledon!
1st Black Tennis Player to win a Grand Slam!
By Miriam Kleiman, Public Affairs
NARA ID 58260.
“From 143rd Street in Harlem to the center court in Wimbledon is about as far as one can travel.” —Althea Gibson
Althea Gibson, daughter of South Carolina sharecroppers, grew up in Harlem and became a champion of the very segregated sport of tennis. Gibson was the first Black tennis player to compete and win at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals (Arthur Ashe was the 1st Black man to win at Wimbledon when he defeated Jimmy Connors 8 years later, in 1975). Eventually, she would play—and beat—all other top women’s tennis players worldwide, while shattering class and racial barriers!
Gibson, L, on the Wheaties box in 2001. Serena Williams, R, in 2019.
"In 2001, Wheaties paid homage to a true champion and an icon by putting her on the cover of a Wheaties Box. Althea Gibson was the FIRST Black Woman tennis player to be on the box. Today, I am honored to be the second. I have dreamt of this since I was a young woman and it’s an honor to join the ranks of some of America’s most decorated athletes. I hope my image on this iconic orange box will inspire the next generation of girls and athletes to dream big.” —Serena Williams
COMING SOON: ALL AMERICAN - THE POWER OF SPORTS
National Archives Museum in DC, 9/16/2022 - 1/7/2024
Exhibit includes Gibson's 1956 Wimbledon trophy! (on loan from the Smithsonian National Museum of American History)
Related Document Display: The Patsy Mink Act and Title IX
Through 9/7/2022, National Archives Museum in DC
More online!
Althea Gibson Wins the US Nat'l Championships, DocsTeach
Celebrate the 50th of Title IX with Archival Footage of Sporting Legends, The Unwritten Record
Celebrate Title IX's 50th! National Archives Tumblr
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Yep, it’s about 4:46am, been up since 2:30am….about to hit the gym because I’m “Finally Getting it Together.” Lol NOT!!! 😂
In reality, I just can’t sleep and I feel my wheaties 🤣🤣💀
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Powers Model, she's cute and pert and poops regularly.
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Wheaties Disney comics, 1951 ad
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Trick 3: Use the phrase "Eat it or go hungry."
Parents Magazine November 1944
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I can't find the original post that was asking about the cereal tie in, but yeah Goncharov teamed up with wheaties. They did a few different ones mostly with Ice Pick Joe due to his athleticism (the ice skating) but they're hard to come by because nobody really thought they'd be important to save ya know.
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