Billie Jean King to be awarded historic Congressional Gold Medal

Billie Jean King may not have been able to compete for a gold medal at the Olympic Games, but the trailblazer is set to receive a groundbreaking gold medal of another kind.

On Tuesday evening, U.S. Representatives Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania announced their bipartisan legislation had successfully passed through the House of Representatives to make King the first individual female athlete to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

“With this bill getting signed into law, we are cementing Billie Jean's legacy as both a champion of tennis and equality whose impact will continue to inspire and empower future generations,” Rep. Fitzpatrick (PA-01) stated in a press release.

Read More: King receives France's highest civilian honor, La Légion d'Honneur

The bill, introduced on the 50^th anniversary of King’s win over Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes last September, had earlier passed unaimously in the Senate. With it now passing both chambers of Congress, all that awaits is President Joe Biden’s signature to make it official.

Said Rep. Sherrill (NJ-11), “Billie Jean King’s lifetime of advocacy and hard work changed the landscape for women and girls on the court, in the classroom, and the workplace. That’s why it has been an absolute honor to help lead the bipartisan effort to add another ‘first’ to Billie Jean’s resume of trailblazing accomplishments.”

Previously honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 by then-President Barack Obama, the 80-year-old King will soon hold both of her nation’s joint highest civilian awards.