Serena Williams By: Tabitha Johnson and Taylor Roman

Importance Serena Williams is an African American in a historically white and European dominated sport. Serena Williams has lobbied for same gender- pay at the Grand Slams. She has helped increase women's pay by 229%. She has also made tennis more accessible

Background Serena Williams was born on September 26 th 1981 in Saginaw, Michigan. She is the youngest of Richard and Oracene Williams’ five daughters. She started two hour practices at the age of three. Serena entered her first tournament at age 4, and played 49 tournaments within 5 years and only lost three of those tournaments. Soon after Serena was born they moved to Compton because Serena’s father wanted to expose her to the “ugly possibilities” in life if she did not work hard and get an education. Serena was ranked #1 in the 10-and under division and her father decided she needed a better coach so they moved to Florida.

Career Serena has played tennis professionally since Plays singles and doubles. She has won a gold medal in singles and three in doubles for the Olympics. She 18 titles. Ranked in the top 5 of the world for the past two years. She underwent knee surgery in 2003, and came back 2007.

Portrayed in Media The head of the Russian Tennis Federation said Venus and Serena were brothers, and that they were scary to look at. Serena Williams is known by 91% of U.S. consumers while the top boys’ tennis player is only known by 61%.