Chicago Foundation for Women 29th Annual Luncheon is coming up June 18. In preparation, CFW interviewed tennis legend and keynote speaker, Billie Jean King.
This year's theme is "A Fair Shot" which celebrates how Chicago Foundation for Women's mission of advancing true equality for all of Chicago's women and girls. CFW gives women and girls the tools, knowledge and power necessary to improve their lives, the lives of their families, and their entire community. In Chicago, "A Fair Shot" will explore the celebrate how CFW's grantees are providing solutions to give women and girls a true, fair shot at success.
Read below for an exclusive interview from Billie Jean King about her thoughts on the Luncheon theme and learn more about her definition of "fairness."
Reserve tables at the link: www.cfw.org/29th-annual-luncheon-registration .
Why do all women and girls deserve a fair shot?
BILLIE JEAN KING: We all deserve a fair shot — women, girls, men and boys. And if there comes a time when you feel you are not being treated fairly, you have to have the courage, the compassion and the commitment to stand up and let it be known.
You've been a true champion for equal pay for women, why do you think this still remains an issue today?
BJK: It's still a problem because in this country we do not have equal pay for equal work and every underserved portion of our society should be raising their voice to make sure we are doing everything we can to not only improve the situation, but to solve the problem. Women, who so often find it difficult to ask for what we want and need, should lead the way and force both genders to work together to end this madness.
If you were preparing for Wimbledon tomorrow, who would you want to face?
BJK: I believe each generation is better than the previous one so I find it much more fulfilling to watch the progress being made by today's stars of our sport and I find great satisfaction in knowing that because of what nine of us ( The Original Nine ) did in 1970 to create women's professional tennis as we know it today, these players are making a living playing professional tennis. I would want to play Serena as she is number one in the world and she would be the most fun and challenging opponent.
What do you consider your biggest contribution to the women's movement?
BJK: I'm not real big on personal recognition, but I do know the women's movement gave so much to me and my generation of women. It gave us a cause to believe, a reason to use our voice and a better understanding of how important it is to work together to reach a solution.
What does "fair" mean to you?
BJK: For me fair is about equality. Since I was a young girl I committed my life to providing equal opportunities for everyone. It has been a lifelong mission and at the end of the day it is not about gender, it is about equality and inclusion.
You are the first female athlete to be honored with the Medal of Freedom. What does this mean for you?
BJK:
First of all it was a very humbling experience. What made me proudest was not only was I the first female athlete ( that is good news and bad news since it took so long for this to happen ) but also one of the first members of the LGBT community to receive this prestigious honor ( along with Harvey Milk — posthumously ). It is not lost on me that it took a leader like President Obama — a man who has included so many in his presidency — to step forward and acknowledge the contributions of our communities.
If you could see a modern day "Battle of the Sexes" between any two celebrities, athletes, musicians, actors, ( anyone! ) who would you pick and why?
BJK: Been there, done that. Like so many things in life, it is only a relevant breakthrough the first time it happens and history can be re-written, but it is only historic once. I will forever be blessed to have been part of the 1973 Battle of the Sexes. It changed my life, changed Bobby Riggs' life too and we both knew what we had done made a difference and was something so much bigger than a tennis match — it was about social change.
