Why Serena Williams Resonates with the Month of February
By: K Smith
Black History Month + National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Black History Month is dedicated to the month of February, because It is an annual celebration of achievements by Black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of Black people in U.S. history. This month is meant to include the history, culture, and achievements of Black people, the injustice faced by them and how that injustice has been and continues to be confronted and overcome.
National Girls and Women in Sports Day is celebrated on February 1, and it is for the sole purpose of breaking the gender stereotypes built around the sports industry. It is to speak out on the importance that women belong in sports just as much as men do. The main aspect of it is to commemorate all women athletes, their achievements, the positive impacts of inclusion of women in sports, and to address the challenges regarding equal participation of women in sports activities.
How does Serena Williams play a part in the month of February?
Serena Williams is an American professional tennis player who has influenced athletics all over the world. She has won 23 major single titles which is more than any other woman or man during the open era. On top of that, she was formerly named world number 1 from the Women’s Tennis Association. Although tennis is not as popular as some other sports, Serena has made herself known through her determination.
Sadly, in today’s society women are looked down upon opposed to men when it comes to the sports industry. Men are known to be more capable with their skills and get way more recognition. Serena immediately shot this down and proved everyone wrong. She had to contend with being a successful Black woman in a sport dominated by men, a situation which she feels has created a different set of expectations. She clapped back with a statement that clearly proves just who she is. She said, “I can’t win being someone different, I have to win being Serena and sometimes that means being more fierce.”
Black History Month is imperative to Serena, and her and her sister have been an inspiration and acquired more diversity within sports and the community. African-American children, from poor areas growing up with a poor home life have been inspired to start playing the game of tennis. In the 1950s, tennis was made up of mostly white people playing the game. Now because of Serena, she has inspired so many kids of color to take part in youth programs and begin playing tennis.
According to an analysis by Sports Marketing Surveys, participation among Black tennis players increased by 44% between 2019 and 2021, from 1.6 million to 2.3 million. This was all because of Serena Williams. She revolutionized women’s tennis, and gave so many women and girls, especially those within the Black community, a powerful representation of what it looks like to rise above adversity, fight for what you believe in, and be a champion.
Serena is a perfect candidate to shine a light upon when it comes to highlighting her success, leadership, and inspiration to everyone around her. It was a no brainer when trying to decide on who can best represent both of these national holidays. Serena stated in one interview, “Often women are put in these different boxes when we are ambitious or when we do have goals or when we reach our goals there’s a negative connotation on how we reach those goals.”
Edited By: Reginna
Sources:
https://www.dw.com/en/serena-williams-an-inspiration-beyond-the-court/a-62999969#:~:text=Serena%20Williams%20will%20be%20remembered,of%20women%2C%20particularly%20Black%20women.&text=Serena%20Williams%20has%20walked%20off%20the%20tennis%20court%20one%20last%20time.
https://nationaltoday.com/national-girls-women-sports-day/
https://www.sportsmuseum.org/serena-williams-most-influential-athlete/
