Althea Gibson
During Fan Week at the 2025 US Open and recognition of 75 Years of Breaking the Color Barriers, Althea Gibson was celebrated on a number of occasions throughout the week. Althea was initiated into the Beta Alpha Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. at Florida A&M University in December 1951. MID-TAC’s President, Margaret Dorsey’s bonus granddaughter, Sydney McLennan, was recently initiated into the AKA Beta Alpha Chapter at FAMU and was the person who created and narrated the 2-minute tribute video that was played on Saturday, August 23rd at the US Open. In addition Sydney’s Chapter was invited to the US Open to perform a Step Show in honor of Althea Gibson’s accomplishments. President Dorsey was very proud and said “Althea Gibson is one of our finest and well known African American heroes.” Congratulations to her granddaughter, Sydney, and to FAMU for producing such a fantastic tribute!
See the below 2-minute video by Sydney McLennan and the 10-minute Step Show by 2025 Members of the Beta Alpha Chapter at FAMU.