Billie Jean King, a trailblazing tennis champion and advocate for equality, was recently honored with the 2,807th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming the first woman to receive a star in the category of sports entertainment.
A Cal State LA alumna, King was recognized during a star dedication ceremony on Monday, April 7, at 6284 Hollywood Boulevard, adjacent to the W Hotel.
“It’s an honor to be the first woman in the sport entertainment category,” King said to the crowd in attendance. “I am just so happy to receive this star on the Walk of Fame. But the important thing is that I don’t want to be the last one. We all need to work together to make sure women in sports are celebrated here in Hollywood.”
The celebration was hosted by Ellen K, Walk of Famer and iHeart Radio personality, and featured remarks by Academy Award-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis and NBA Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
Members of the Cal State LA community joined in honoring King, celebrating her enduring impact as both an alumna and a pioneering figure in sports and social justice. Attendees at the event included Cal State LA President Berenecea Johnson Eanes, Athletics Executive Director Daryl Gross, and CSU Trustee Jean Picker Firstenberg.
President Eanes praised King’s achievements, stating, “Billie Jean King is one of Cal State LA’s most distinguished alumni, having earned national and international acclaim not only for her athletic excellence but also for her lifelong commitment to social justice and equality. She has achieved so much personally, but her priority always is to help others, especially women, rise to the same level she has ascended.”
While a student at Cal State LA from 1961 to 1964, King won her first Wimbledon women’s doubles title, setting the stage for a legendary career that would include 39 Grand Slam titles, a world No. 1 ranking, and her historic 1973 victory over Bobby Riggs in the famed “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition.
In recognition of her achievements and her contributions to advancing gender equity in sports, King was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Cal State LA and the California State University during the university’s 50th anniversary celebration in 1997.
For two decades, King has hosted the Billie Jean King & Friends event at Cal State LA, raising more than $4.5 million for athletic scholarships. Her support has opened doors for generations of student-athletes to pursue their academic and athletic dreams.
Last October, King celebrated the unveiling of her bronze statue on the Cal State LA campus, surrounded by hundreds of current Golden Eagles student-athletes, honoring her legacy and continued commitment to equity in sports. During the event, King announced that she will return to her alma mater to complete a bachelor’s degree in history.
King has also been a powerful voice in support of Title IX, having testified before Congress in 1972 to advocate for equal opportunities for women in education and sports. She has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honors in the United States.
In addition to her contributions to the Cal State LA community, King’s influence has extended around the world. She is a founder of the Women’s Tennis Association, the Women’s Sports Foundation, and the Billie Jean King Foundation. She serves as a part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angel City FC, and is an advisor to the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a celebration of art, entertainment, and all things Hollywood. Star ceremonies are broadcast worldwide, connecting fans with their favorite artists. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce administers the Walk of Fame on behalf of the City of Los Angeles. Honorees are selected by a committee of their peers. Sponsors fund the star, the ceremony, and the maintenance of the legendary attraction.
For the web stream of the Walk of Fame ceremony honoring Billie Jean King, please visit the Walk of Fame YouTube channel.
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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 24,000 students and has more than 250,000 distinguished alumni.
