On June 10, 1957, Althea Gibson won the French Open women\’s singles title, becoming the first African American to win a Grand Slam event. Her victory in Paris followed her historic integration of professional tennis just a year earlier, and she would go on to win Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Gibson’s triumphs broke racial barriers in an elite, white-dominated sport and inspired future athletes like Arthur Ashe, Venus and Serena Williams. A former Harlem resident and graduate of Florida A&M, Gibson was both a symbol of integration and a demonstration of Black excellence on the global stage. Her French Open win on June 10 became a powerful reminder of how talent and determination could transcend racial barriers.
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