Some years ago, I worked with an African-American CNA named Althea. I was curious about her name and looked it up to find the meaning and learned that it could mean strength and resilience, and even warrior according to one source. When I saw her the next day, I told her what I had learned, adding that there was a famous tennis star named Althea Gibson. Her face lit up and she said “That’s who I was named for!” This is the only reason I knew about that tennis star. So I was delighted to read her full story today in your column. Thank you, Bill!
I detest all forms of discrimination. In the area I once lived, high society Belle Meade Country Club would not allow blacks nor women to be members. I just googled to find out if that has changed. This is what I found:
As of 2011, federal judicial dissent explicitly stated the club discriminated against African Americans and women in its membership practices.
The club does not publish membership policies, and its website provides no historical information about integration. Because private clubs are not required to disclose membership demographics, and Belle Meade is known for its secrecy, the absence of public documentation is itself notable. Silence is rarely accidental. When an institution has a long, well‑documented history of exclusion — and then never publicly announces a change — that gap becomes meaningful evidence in itself. If a club integrated meaningfully, someone usually reports it — a newspaper, a lawsuit, a civic group, or the club itself. If no one reports it, and the last documented evidence still shows discrimination, the absence becomes part of the historical record. This is why the lack of documentation is notable:
It suggests that either integration never occurred or it occurred so minimally and quietly that it left no public footprint, which is itself historically significant.
What blows me away, and I’m not sure I knew this about Ms Gibson was that she played golf at such a high level. I’ve known several women though who were great golfers who started out as tennis players. The swing technique is similar just on a different plane so it makes sense.
She succeeded in every way that society demands. She turned her life around, she was a very successful athlete and went on to get a college degree. That she was treated so abysmally, again, says so much more about the white culture she and so many other like her have had to fight against all their lives than anything that could ever be said about her.
Thanks for citing the 1999 women’s World Cup win. Too bad about the latest FIFA/trump interference scandal. Deserved or not, human refs make mistakes with calls everywhere. A cheated win put a big stink over all concerned. Last I heard, the European(EUFA?)had a bit to say about the reversal.
We could probably all remember our humanity these days. Thank you Misters Russell and Einstein.
Some years ago, I worked with an African-American CNA named Althea. I was curious about her name and looked it up to find the meaning and learned that it could mean strength and resilience, and even warrior according to one source. When I saw her the next day, I told her what I had learned, adding that there was a famous tennis star named Althea Gibson. Her face lit up and she said “That’s who I was named for!” This is the only reason I knew about that tennis star. So I was delighted to read her full story today in your column. Thank you, Bill!
I too am America- Langston Hughes
I’ve never heard of her. Thanks for sharing!
I detest all forms of discrimination. In the area I once lived, high society Belle Meade Country Club would not allow blacks nor women to be members. I just googled to find out if that has changed. This is what I found:
As of 2011, federal judicial dissent explicitly stated the club discriminated against African Americans and women in its membership practices.
The club does not publish membership policies, and its website provides no historical information about integration. Because private clubs are not required to disclose membership demographics, and Belle Meade is known for its secrecy, the absence of public documentation is itself notable. Silence is rarely accidental. When an institution has a long, well‑documented history of exclusion — and then never publicly announces a change — that gap becomes meaningful evidence in itself. If a club integrated meaningfully, someone usually reports it — a newspaper, a lawsuit, a civic group, or the club itself. If no one reports it, and the last documented evidence still shows discrimination, the absence becomes part of the historical record. This is why the lack of documentation is notable:
It suggests that either integration never occurred or it occurred so minimally and quietly that it left no public footprint, which is itself historically significant.
I have no words for this. Despicable does come to mind though.
What blows me away, and I’m not sure I knew this about Ms Gibson was that she played golf at such a high level. I’ve known several women though who were great golfers who started out as tennis players. The swing technique is similar just on a different plane so it makes sense.
She succeeded in every way that society demands. She turned her life around, she was a very successful athlete and went on to get a college degree. That she was treated so abysmally, again, says so much more about the white culture she and so many other like her have had to fight against all their lives than anything that could ever be said about her.
This was a wonderful newsletter today. Full of the most meaningful stories. Great job, Bill! Thank You!
“What to the slave is the 4th of July?”
Frederick Douglas
Thanks for citing the 1999 women’s World Cup win. Too bad about the latest FIFA/trump interference scandal. Deserved or not, human refs make mistakes with calls everywhere. A cheated win put a big stink over all concerned. Last I heard, the European(EUFA?)had a bit to say about the reversal.
We could probably all remember our humanity these days. Thank you Misters Russell and Einstein.
Good Monday newsletter today Bill. Thanks.
Bill, your work always makes my day.
Althea Gibson's story of overcoming monumental odds and adversity doesn't get told often enough.
Thank you for the warm smile. :^)