Billie Jean

Billie Jean King is the founder of the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative and the co-founder of World TeamTennis. She was named as one of the "100 Most important Americans of the 20th Century" by Life Magazine and a 2009 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She has long been a pioneer for equality and social justice. In 2014, in partnership with Teneo, she launched the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative to address inclusion and diversity issues in the workplace. In 2016 she addressed both the National Football League and FIFA, the international governing body of soccer, on issues related to gender equality and inclusion. King grew up playing tennis in the California public parks and won 39 Glam Slam titles during her career. She helped form the Virginia Slims Series and founded the Women's Tennis Association. She defeated Bobby Riggs in one of the greatest moments in sports history -- the Battle of the Sexes on Sept. 20, 1973.