Billie Jean King’s Activism

Billie Jean King is regarded as the sole leader for the right to equal pay in women’s sports. As one of the greatest athletes ever, King has stated that sports and the fight for social change are important as she has had an ever-growing platform and is seen as a positive influence for gender equality in sports. With this influence, King has been courageous in the fight for equal pay for women athletes compared to their male counterparts. With this fight, King faced off against Bobby Riggs in 1973 in the infamous “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match. Her victory served as a stepping stone for women athletes in the fight for gender equality in sports as it proved that women were just as capable of being professional athletes in their respected sport. Back in the 1970’s, media channels responded to King’s activism in a diminishing manner, however nowadays King is regarded by the media as the spark who helped shape the importance of gender equality in sports. Billie Jean King has made it known to outsiders that she believes that sport is for social change and being influential for young women, which led to Congress enacting Title IX. Title IX is a bill that prohibits discrimination based on sex in schools and athletic programs which has led to a transformational generation of female athletes. King has also been adamant about women’s issues in society, along with racial diversity in the United States. Overall, Billie Jean King is a prime example of an social activist in sport because of her platform and using it for social change to improve our society in the United States of America.