Part of FAMU’s Wahnish Way to be Dedicated to Tennis Great, Alum Althea Gibson

The U.S. Tennis Association unveiled a statue of tennis legend and FAMU alumna Althea Gibson on Monday, Aug. 26 2019.

By Briona Hopkins

(Source FAMU Forward:

Florida A&M University (FAMU) alum and tennis great Althea Gibson was recognized with an honorary street dedication Tuesday, March 19.

The Leon County Commission voted unanimously to erect signs honorarily designating a section of Wahnish Way from Orange Avenue north to FAMU Way as Althea Gibson Way to recognize the first African American to win the French Open. The street name officially remains Wahnish Way.

This comes on the heels of action last fall when Tallahassee City Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox proposed a plan to honor Gibson with a symbolic tribute that would be a huge asset for the FAMU community. The decision was unanimously approved to rename Wahnish Way to Althea Gibson Way.  Former Congressman Al Lawson made a similar appeal to the FAMU Board of Trustees last fall.

Gibson’s early athletic achievements led her to being awarded a sports scholarship at FAMU. During her time on the Tallahassee campus, she was known as one of the best tennis and golf players.

During her professional career, Gibson won five grand slam titles, including the French Open (1956), Wimbledon (1957,1958) and the U.S. Open (1957,1958). She later became the first Black golfer to join the Ladies Professional Golfers Association (LPGA.

Gibson’s legacy has been honored with a statue at Arthur Ashe stadium in 2019 on Women’s Equality Day. Attending that ceremony were a number of women who were inspired by Gibson’s pioneering success. They included former U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) CEO and President Katrina Adams, the first African American to hold the post, and retired African American tennis professionals Chanda Rubin and Zina Garrison. In 2019, the FAMU Tennis Complex was renamed in Gibson’s honor. She died in 2003.

Gibson continues to be an inspiration to many.

Commissioner Williams-Cox is ecstatic about continuing Gibson’s legacy.

“I think it is a fantastic idea,” Williams-Cox said. “My Soror Althea Gibson is what we are all about. That is doing good, making history, and opening the door for others to follow. I am so proud that we will be recognizing her.”