Billie Jean King and nearly 100 athletes gathered on Wednesday night to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Women’s Sports Foundation, an organization that has transformed a $5,000 check into $100 million and half a century of support for girls and women in sports.
During the event, King honoured the 1999 U.S. women’s World Cup champions, the PWHL, and Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Mark Walter, as well as the 2024 WNBA rookie class.
King, a lifelong advocate for equal pay and increased investment in women’s sports, highlighted that while significant progress has been made, women in sports are still in the early stages of achieving equality. She acknowledged that closing the pay gaps will require continued effort and time.
The next milestone for the 80-year-old King will be receiving the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest civilian honours in the United States, awarded to individuals whose achievements have a lasting impact in their fields.
