Earlier this week in Washington, D.C., legislation was introduced to recognize Billie Jean King with the Congressional Gold Medal. The bill, H.R. 1831, sponsored by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Democratic co-lead Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), was put forward, “To award a Congressional Gold Medal to Billie Jean King, an American icon, in recognition of a remarkable life devoted to championing equal rights for all, in sports and in society.”

 

Several representatives from Southern California have signed on to the bill as co-sponsors, including Lou Correa, Mike Garcia, Robert Garcia, Young Kim, and Michelle Steel.

To date, 11 individual athletes (as well as the 1980 U.S. Olympic team) have been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, but all have been men. Billie Jean King would become the first female athlete to receive this distinction.

“I am honored to be considered for the Congressional Gold Medal and I want to thank Rep. Fitzpatrick, Rep. Sherrill and the USTA for their leadership and support of the effort as we join together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of equal prize money at the US Open,” said King.

“Billie Jean King is an incredible athlete and unmatched trailblazer for women and girls in sports,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “As we continue to celebrate International Women’s Month, I am honored to introduce this legislation honoring her important accomplishments, and I thank Congresswoman Sherrill for joining me in recognizing Billie Jean’s tireless advocacy for female athletes.”

“This is a woman who has truly impacted the lives of so many,” said Congresswoman Sherrill. “We are still not where we need to be, or want to be, but we would not be anywhere near where we are today without Billie Jean King.”

“There may be no athlete more deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal than Billie Jean King,” said Brian Hainline, Chairman of the Board and President, USTA. “Perhaps most impressive about her legacy is that her greatness on and off the court has not only inspired countless girls and women to also aim for their own greatness, but has pushed for them to be properly compensated for these efforts.”

“Billie Jean King fought for equal prize money at the US Open 50 years ago, and that giant leap has become the norm in tennis. She continues to fight for equal opportunity and pay to this day, and has been more influential than any athlete in paving the way for countless females in their professions. As we celebrate 50 years of equal pay at the US Open, the time is perfect for Billie Jean King to become the first female athlete to be given the Congressional Gold Medal.”

The legislation coincides with the USTA’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of equal prize money being awarded at the US Open. In 1973, the US Open became the first sporting event in history to offer equal prize money to both men and women competitors, with each competing for total purses of $100,000, including a $25,000 payout to both the men’s and women’s singles champion.

Billie Jean King became the pioneer for equal prize money when she won the women’s singles title at the 1972 US Open and unequivocally demanded that the following year’s US Open pay men’s and women’s players equally. King’s ultimatum set the tone for a momentous year ahead, which first saw the formation of the Women’s Tennis Association.

After the 1973 US Open milestone of equal pay, King then defeated Bobby Riggs in the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match at Houston’s iconic Astrodome, a match that helped to propel the women’s movement in both sports and in society, and still remains the most-watched tennis match ever.