Billie Jean King to become first solo female athlete to receive Congressional Gold Medal
WASHINGTON — Billie Jean King will become the first individual female athlete to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey announced Tuesday that their bipartisan legislation had passed the House of Representatives and would be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature.
The bill to honor King, the tennis Hall of Famer and activist, had already passed unanimously in the Senate.
Sherrill, a Democrat, said in a statement that King’s “lifetime of advocacy and hard work changed the landscape for women and girls on the court, in the classroom, and the workplace.”
The bill was introduced last September on the 50th anniversary of King’s victory over Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes,” still the most-watched tennis match of all-time. The medal, awarded by Congress for distinguished achievements and contributions to society, has previously been given to athletes including baseball players Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente, and golfers Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and Arnold Palmer.
King had already been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican, says she has “broken barriers, led uncharted paths, and inspired countless people to stand proudly with courage and conviction in the fight for what is right.”
For more from NBC Out, sign up for our weekly newsletter.
Related
Sinner qualifies for semis at ATP Finals while Fritz has…
TURIN, Italy — Top-ranked Jannik Sinner became the first player to advance to the semifinals at the ATP Finals. U.S. Open
Jannik Sinner v Daniil Medvedev: ATP Finals tennis – live
Key eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureAnd there was good news for Britain’s Henry Patten. He and doubles partner Harri He
Frances Tiafoe Fined $120K for ‘Verbal Abuse & Aggravated Behavior’
Frances Tiafoe's roller-coaster season has come to an end. The American tennis star finished the season as the World No. 18 with a record 33-26, zero singles ti
ATP Finals: Taylor Fritz beats Alex de Minaur to boost…
Taylor Fritz boosted his hopes of reaching the last four of the ATP Finals with a comeback victory against Australia's Alex de Minaur.De Minaur needed to defeat
