1927-2003
Althea Gibson was a world-championship tennis player from East Orange. A statue of Althea stands in Branch Brook Park, Newark and the tennis courts were named after her in 2002.
Althea was very involved in the Newark community. In 1998, she founded the Althea Gibson Foundation which partnered with the City of Newark, Newark Public Schools and Essex County to offer tennis lessons to about 300 children per year. However, as early as 1970 Althea was working with Newark kids, launching a summer tennis program in Weequahic Park and West Side Park and working in schools, and in 1974 a project called Van Guard Sports.
Bibliography
https://warrensculpture.com/project/althea-gibson-memorial
https://loc.gov/pictures/resource/cph.3c14745
Stewart, Nikita, “Newark courts named after tennis legend” Star Ledger Sept 18, 2002
Kukla, Barbara, “Althea Gibson brings tennis to Newark kids” Star Ledger Jul 6, 1973
Barbage, Joan “Althea Gibson keeps determined drive” Star ledger Jan 20, 1974
Glicken, Lloyde, “Newark youngers learn rich kids game” Star Ledger Jul 13, 1970
“Tennis to teaching” Star Ledger Mar 8, 1970