Serving Herself: The Life and Times of Althea Gibson

On August 1, 1974, tennis legend Althea Gibson visited Morven and played tennis with Governor Brendan T. Byrne. The first African American to win a title at Wimbledon and U.S. Nationals, Gibson broke tennis’ color barrier. In 1975, Byrne would appoint Gibson to be New Jersey’s Athletic Commissioner. She was the first woman to hold the title in the country.

Learn more about the incredible life and legacy of Althea Gibson with Dr. Ashley Brown, Assistant Professor and the Allan H. Selig Chair of Sport and Society at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Brown is the author of a new book, Serving Herself: The Life and Times of Althea Gibson.

Ashley Brown is Assistant Professor and the Allan H. Selig Chair in the History of Sport and Society at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is an expert on sport history, women’s history, and African American history.

General admission $10. Morven members $5. Click here to purchase tickets.