One iconic figure in American History was Arthur Robert Ashe Jr. He was a world-famous tennis player, author, and social justice activist from Richmond, VA.
What were some of his accomplishments?
- He was the first black person recruited by the U.S. Davis Cup team.
- Arthur Ashe was the first and only black man to win the U.S. Open and Wimbledon.
- First tennis player to win the U.S. Nationals and the U.S. Open the same year.
- First African-American tennis player to be ranked No. 1 in the world.
- First black U.S. citizen to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
When did he start playing tennis?
He started playing tennis at 6 years old.
What books did he author?
Arthur Ashe wrote 9 books two of his most popular are below.
- A Hard Road to Glory
- Days of Grace
Are are other interesting facts about his life?
Following a stroke, Arthur Ashe received bypass surgery where he was given a blood transfusion; unfortunately, the blood was contaminated with the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV. He became an advocate for the disease, but later died from pneumonia complicated by the HIV virus.
Arthur Ashe once said:
“Champions are people who want to leave their sport better off than when they first started.” Source“
What are some ways you can teach your child/children about Arthur Ashe?
Crafts – Make a tennis racket using the basket weaving technique or draw a tennis racket and allow children to decorate with construction paper or other items.
Park play – Enjoy playing a tennis match with your child/children.
Books – Read “Arthur Ashe: Young Tennis Champion (Childhood of Famous Americans)” and “Daddy and Me : A Photo Story of Arthur Ashe and his Daughter Camera“
Videos – Here’s a Tribute to Arthur Ashe from Youtube.
Click here to find out more about Arthur Ashe.
Reader response – In honor of black History Month, who are you teaching your child/children about?
