Billie Jean King Advances Toward Congressional Gold Medal Recognition

Billie Jean King's Historic Path to Recognition

NEW YORK (AP) — Two members of the House of Representatives have lined up sufficient votes to elevate Billie Jean King as the first individual female athlete to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey announced that they have garnered approximately 300 cosponsors in the 435-member House, following Fitzpatrick's confirmation that the companion bill passed unanimously in the Senate. The final hurdle is to get the bill to the floor for a vote.

“Billie Jean’s a barrier breaker and hopefully she’s going to break another one,” said Fitzpatrick, a Republican. “Hopefully this will be the first of many.” The legislation was introduced last September, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of King's iconic victory over Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes,” which remains the most-watched tennis match in history. In 1973, King also spearheaded the movement that led to the U.S. Open becoming the first tournament to offer equal prize money to both its men’s and women’s champions, marking a significant shift in sports equity.

Significance of the Congressional Gold Medal

The Congressional Gold Medal honors individuals for distinguished achievements and contributions to society, with previous recipients including baseball legends Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente, as well as golfing icons like Jack Nicklaus. Sherrill, a Democrat, emphasized the overwhelming support for awarding this distinction to King. “We need her advocacy,” she remarked, underscoring King's enduring impact.