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Collection Title
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Althea Gibson Collection
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Alternate Title
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Althea Gibson
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Collection ID
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MS_0003
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Creator
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Althea Gibson
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Date
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1900-1999
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Abstract
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The Althea Gibson Artifacts Collection at the Meek-Eaton Black Archives Research Center and Museum preserves the legacy of one of Florida A&M University’s most distinguished alumnae and one of the greatest trailblazers in American sports. Graduating from FAMU in 1953, Gibson went on to break barriers in tennis, becoming the first African American woman to win the U.S. National Championships and Wimbledon. Her accomplishments on and off the court transformed not only the history of athletics, but also the landscape of race and gender equality in America.
The collection brings together artifacts that capture the sweep of Gibson’s extraordinary career and her enduring ties to FAMU. Trophies, medals, and commemorative items document her dominance as a champion, while photographs, news clippings, and ephemera trace the public story of her rise from student-athlete to international icon. Personal materials, including memorabilia connected to her years at FAMU, highlight her role as both a product of and an inspiration to the HBCU community. Together, these objects illustrate not only her athletic brilliance but also the cultural significance of her success during a time when Black athletes were often denied recognition on the world stage.
Through these materials, visitors encounter Gibson as more than a record-breaking athlete. She emerges as a pioneer whose courage and achievements opened doors for generations of athletes who followed. The collection serves as a vital resource for researchers, educators, and students, offering a tangible connection to the history of sports, the struggle for equality, and the proud legacy of Florida A&M University.
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Subjects
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Althea Gibson, African American athletes, African American women athletes, Black women in sports, tennis history, professional tennis players, racial integration in sports, civil rights in athletics, sports and segregation, women pioneers in sports, African American pioneers, African American history, 20th century African American history, African American education, Florida A&M University alumni, FAMU alumni, historically Black colleges and universities, HBCUs, Meek-Eaton Black Archives, Meek-Eaton Black Archives Research Center and Museum, Carnegie Library at FAMU, Tallahassee history, Florida history, African American women trailblazers, African American excellence, sports memorabilia, tennis trophies, personal correspondence, archival photographs, historical documents, African American cultural heritage, Black history collections, Joseph Lang Kershaw Sr. Collection, African American community leaders, Black women empowerment, women in higher education, African American legacy, African American sports heritage, athletic achievements, African American biography, Black history in Florida, African American archival collections, museum exhibitions, African American students, representation in sports, posthumous recognition, national and international recognition, African American role models, gender and race in sports, American Tennis Association, Wimbledon champions, U.S. Open champions, groundbreaking athletes, social impact of sports
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Restrictions and Rights
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All rights reserved. The use of any part of these objects and photographs transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, or stored in a retrieval system without the prior written consent of Meek-Eaton Black Archives is an infringement of the copyright law.
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Spatial Coverage
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In holdings
