The Reading Public Museum will host the traveling exhibition Billie Jean King: Champion. Activist. Legend. More than 75 photographs will chronicle her extraordinary life, including her journey toward achieving 39 Grand Slam titles and the world No. 1 ranking in women’s tennis. An inspirational champion on and off the court, King’s lifelong advocacy for equality and social justice is visually demonstrated in this first ever exhibition about her life.

Named one of LIFE magazine’s “100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century” and the first female athlete and member of the LGBTQIA+ community to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Billie Jean King carries a legacy far beyond the tennis court. Over her long career, King leveraged her role as a public figure to champion human rights, challenge discrimination, and fight for gender equality. King lobbied for, and obtained, equal prize money for women at the US Open in 1973 and is renowned for her celebrated win over Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match on September 20, 1973.

Exhibition organized by The New-York Historical Society.

Members! Join us for a preview day on February 6. Click for more info.