Miami Times
04-01-2003
Tennis, which first came to the United States in the late 19th century, by
the middle of the 20th century have become a part of a culture of health
and fitness. Public programs brought tennis to children in poor
neighborhoods, though those children couldn't dream of playing in the elite
clubs.
One young girl name Althea Gibson lived in Harlem in the 1930s and 1940s.
Her family was on welfare. She was a client of the Society for Prevention
of Cruelty to Children. She had trouble in school and was often truant. She
ran away from home frequently.
She also played paddle tennis in public recreation programs. Her talent and
interest in the game led her to win tournaments sponsored ...