Super star, feminist, athlete, gay rights activist, Bill Jean King, told a packed audience underneath the tarp at Recreation Park that it was the free public recreation programs and the teachers of the Long Beach Unified School district that taught her to play tennis and helped give her the confidence she needed to become the #1 woman tennis player in the 1960's - 1970's.
Last night, ESPN filmed a 90 minute "Homecoming" with Rick Reilly featuring King who worked her way from local tennis matches to 39 wins at Wimbledon. Over and over again, King told the audience that if it wasn't for the free public tennis lessons she received through City of Long Beach at Houghton Park and the encouragement she was given to pursue tennis from teachers at Los Cerritos Elementary and Poly High School, she wouldn't have been successful because her parents could not afford the sport.
The taping was done on the courts of the Billie Jean King Tennis area and was open to the public. Several other famous women tennis stars attended to give their perspective on how important King's work has been to open up sports for girls and women.
I was fortunate to have time last night to attend with my Neighborhood Liaison, Tiffany Andrews -- who know thinks I am ancient because I remembered everything King said about the 1960's and the 1970's! Sitting next to me was Drew Satariano, member of the City's Parks, Recreation and Marine Commission. Third District Councilmember Gary DeLong was also in the crowd.
The show will air on ESPN on July 3rd. It is a wonderful tribute to this athlete who changed sports forever and a great commercial for the City of Long Beach...or the way Long Beach used to be before budget cuts