Althea Gibson

Althea Gibson and Jackie Robinson were both important in their sport(s) for breaking the color barrier. Gibson broke the color barrier in tennis and golf all by herself and Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in only baseball with the support from family.  Althea Gibson won many achievements one achievement was capturing the singles crown at the French championships in 1957. Another one of Gibson's achievements was when she became the first African American woman to compete in the ladies professional golf association tour. One last achievement was her winning 5 grand slams! 

Jackie Robinson and Althea Gibson both broke color barriers in the sport they play. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, at History.com Jackie Robinson it says, "Robinson broke the color barrier in a sport that had been segregated for more than 50 years." this tells me that Jackie was the first African American player in a major league baseball team. In 1950 Althea Gibson broke the color barrier in tennis, at Smithsonian Institution website says, "... she also became the first African American woman to compete on the ladies golf association tour." this tells me that she was the first African American player on a professional golf tour. Jackie Robinson and Althea Gibson both were the first African American in their sport. Jackie was the first African American in baseball, at history.com Jackie Robinson it says, “Jackie Robinson became the first African American in the modern era to play in a major league baseball game." This tells me that Jackie helped break the segregation in baseball. Althea Gibson was the first African American in tennis and golf, at ESPN.com Althea Gibson it says, “In 1956, Gibson made history by becoming the first black person to win the French championships." this tells me that she also helped break the color barrier in her sport.

Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball only but Althea Gibson broke the color barrier in two sports, tennis and golf. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in one sport, baseball, in Promises to Keep by Sharon Robinson page 36 says, "Jackie was going to the majors... Jim Crow was going down." this tells me that Jackie helped fight racism in baseball. Althea Gibson broke the color barrier in two sports, tennis and golf, at Smithsonian Institution it says, "Tennis player and professional golfer Althea Gibson was the first African American women to compete at the highest levels in both sports." This tells me that Althea Gibson not only broke the color barrier in tennis but also in golf. Jackie Robinson had support from his family but Althea Gibson didn't. Jackie Robinson had support from family, in Promises to Keep by Sharon Robinson it says, "During Jackie's baseball career I attended every game." this tells me that his wife supported his career. Althea Gibson didn't have support from her family, at ESPN.com it says, "Daddy would whip me."  This tells me that she didn't have a supportive family growing up. 

Althea Gibson and Jackie Robinson were both important in their sport for breaking the color barrier. Gibson broke the color in golf and tennis without much support and Jackie broke the color barrier in only baseball with a supportive family. It's important that Althea broke the color barriers in tennis and golf because if she didn't then black people wouldn't be able to play either of those sports for a while. Jackie Robinson was and still is famous for breaking the color barrier in baseball Jackie breaking the color barrier in baseball is important because if he didn't then other black people would have to fight to get on a baseball team or just not be able to. In conclusion, both Althea and Jackie changed America by breaking the color barrier in their sport(s).