This past Wednesday, Cal State LA commemorated the widely acclaimed Billie Jean King with a statue dedication ceremony, unveiling the previously installed statue located in front of the gymnasium. A highly decorated tennis player, women’s rights advocate, and LGTBQ+ activist, King took the opportunity to share words of inspiration for student-athletes. 

King attended Cal State LA from 1961 to 1964, all the while pursuing her professional tennis career. She went on to win 20 Wimbledon titles, later achieving a total of 39 Grand Slam titles. King hopes the statue will inspire students to strive faithfully toward their ambitions. 

“So as they walk up and down that pathway, I hope to remind them to fight for equality, and be good to themselves, and just be the best they can be,” King said. “I hope it will help lift up people, just, think they can do anything.”

For Director of Strategic Communications Eric Hollins, the positivity imparted for female athletes is evident to both students and faculty. 

“Billie Jean King just met with our student athletes, and just the inspiration she provided for them, the encouragement, the focus, in the context of women’s sports and equality for women . . . was inspiring and moving,” Hollins said. 

By the early 1970s, King’s career soared to unprecedented heights — though she was still awarded less prize money than her male counterparts. In 1973, King assembled the Women’s Tennis Association and served as the organization’s president. Persistent lobbying efforts gave way to a monumental change in American sports; for the first time in history, the U.S. Open would award equal prize money to both men and women. 

ASI President Yahir Flores said King’s presence serves as a reminder of what all Cal State LA students are capable of accomplishing.

“Cal State LA brings in a lot of different people from different backgrounds in the quiet pursuit of higher education . . . this is one story amongst thousands and thousands of alumni,” Flores said.“I hope students take that and say ‘I can do a lot with my degree that I get here at Cal State LA.’” 

For student and long-time tennis athlete Courtlyn Lam, Billie King’s inspiration carries over generations. 

“Growing up, especially as a girl, I think Billie Jean King has been a very big person in the tennis community, not just in her wins but her ability to perform, and bringing equal rights to men and women,” Lam said. 

For King, the future of women’s sports and the pursuit of higher education remains optimistic.

“It’s totally evolved, we’re not even close though,” King said. “But it’s more positive, it’s really exciting.”

This article was first published in the October 9 print edition of the University Times.