Moments That Make Us: Billie Jean King on Blazing a Trail for Future Generations

Publicado 2024-07-24
To celebrate turning 60, Melinda French Gates sat down with iconic changemakers of all ages to talk about their biggest life transitions for a special series, “Moments That Make Us.” In this episode, she chats with tennis legend Billie Jean King about what it was like being outed in 1981, the power of living your truth, how sports help girls become leaders, and why she felt it was her job to change people’s hearts and minds in The Battle of the Sexes.

Check out all of the conversations in this series:
Megan Rapinoe:    • Moments That Make Us: The Radical Emp...  
Reese Witherspoon:    • Moments That Make Us: Reese Witherspo...  
Ava DuVernay:    • Moments That Make Us: Ava DuVernay’s ...  
Michelle Obama:    • Moments That Make Us: Michelle Obama ...  
Oprah Winfrey & Gayle King:    • Moments That Make Us: How Friendship ...  
Billie Jean King:    • Moments That Make Us: Billie Jean Kin...  
& don’t miss the Trailer! :    • Introducing "Moments That Make Us" wi...  

In this episode:
0:44 – The biggest shifts of Billie Jean King’s life
o See more: www.tennismajors.com/our-features/on-this-day/may-…
2:25 – Blazing a trail and being one of the first athletes to address sexuality
4:23 – Reflecting on the first-time playing tennis and the racial disparities in the sport
5:10 – Experiencing the gender pay gap after going pro in 1968, forming the ‘Original 9’ and establishing the first women’s professional tournament in 1970
o See more: www.history.com/news/billie-jean-king-equal-pay-fo…
o See more: edition.cnn.com/2020/09/22/tennis/original-9-wta-t…
6:21 – Billie Jean King’s perspective on team and embracing her role as a leader
8:13 – How the Battle of the Sexes against Bobby Riggs in 1973 changed the hearts and minds of people and starting the Women’s Tennis Association
o See more: www.billiejeanking.com/battle-of-the-sexes/
o See more: www.facebook.com/reel/535204080382219
o See more: www.wtatennis.com/
12:22 – How sports transforms girls and the effect of sports on women’s leadership
o See more: www.inc.com/rebecca-hinds/the-1-trait-94-percent-o….
13:16 – Playing tennis again after putting the racket down
• 16: 47 – The recent popularity of the WNBA, women’s sports as a great investment, and the business of sports
o See more: www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2022/06/04/wnba…
19:36 – Starting the Professional Women’s Hockey League
o See more: x.com/BillieJeanKing/status/1742024551003795564?re…


Produced by Feee Films
Directed by Felicia Manning
Photography c/o Pivotal Ventures, Robert Prange/Getty Images, Bettmann/Getty Images, and Focus on Sport via Getty.

Follow Melinda French Gates on:
Twitter/X: @melindagates
Facebook: @melindagates
LinkedIn: @melindagates
Instagram: @melindafrenchgates
YouTube: @melindafrenchgates

Follow Billie Jean King on:
Twitter/X: @BillieJeanKing
Facebook: @BillieJeanKing
Instagram: @BillieJeanKing

Todos los comentarios (21)
  • @loishunter1140
    "Happy Birthday Melinda" thank you for all that you do I really appreciate!
  • Girls participating in sports helps acclimate them to real world situations. Furthermore, it helps fuels passion, mental health, physical well-being, confidence, assertiveness, teamwork, and goal mindset to name a few. Loved the interview!
  • @megannuffer8905
    Absolutely incredible!!! Her courage to trail blaze is beyond words!! Forever grateful!!!!!
  • @MsKylea
    I discovered your channel after watching your interview with Stephen Colbert. I have subscribed to your channel. I wish you and your team the best of luck! BJK is amazing. This interview was great. Thanks for sharing her story.
  • @mariemeyer6852
    Melinda keep doing these interviews! Great platform for so many incredible people to interview. We need more of these type of interviews.
  • The algorithm just suggested these videos to me and I have watched all of them. I'm about to rewatch all over again. This is great Melinda! Happy 60🎉❤
  • @gilbertoadc
    I am really enjoying this series.Congratulations Ms.Melinda and Ms. Billie Jean
  • My mum is the same age as BJK, and as a tennis nut, always admired her. When i came out as a teenager, I'm pretty sure BJK was the only lesbian my mother really knew of, and although it wasn't an easy process, her example helped my mum and I to find some common ground. What a woman! Both women are amazing!
  • Melinda. Please continue this effort. Not just for your birthday. Make this an annual thing. You are the next Oprah Winfrey. At least offer that. Please Please Please. The Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation. There is a legacy here. A legacy for the whole world that needs to continue to be held as gold. Africa, India, The World. All about important women in the world. You have an eclectic and significant group here. A very unique view at a very special time in our history. Thank you so much for sharing all that you do. ~ Mr. Not Worthy from New Hampshire.
  • @artp3623
    What a love about this lady Melinda is her contagious smile. It energize you.
  • @hollywinters1935
    This was a refreshing and informative interview with two incredible women. Well done!
  • @TheLadyinNavy
    Thank you for giving us this gift of conversations with these accomplished women. There is something extra special about their life experience, lessons and wisdom which resonate deeply inside of me.
  • @james-dd5hh
    Melinda you conducted a great interview! And Billie Jean, you are the best!
  • Melinda, I just came across this site yesterday and I love the work you are doing. I love your honesty in sharing your struggles and pain and loss and then to find your way back to self. Very inspiring and informative conversations about women's struggles and successes. How they overcame life's many obstacles in so many situations. Courage, identity, and strength! Happy Birthday 60. Many blessings and Yahoo!
  • @karenlindley9265
    Woooouuuu..I was a volleyball player,but in my case I used sports as a conduit to challenge anger! Plus it was also to escape my reality with a very toxic environment,an alcoholic mother with violence personality..! But also I recognize team support & natural leadership! I wasn't the type to follow OTHERS..I was always follow myself (inner strengths) Such a powerful light indeed for humanity..! 💚🙏🥺😘🌸💕💠
  • @cathypreston1095
    Delightful to enjoy your food-for-thought conversation ladies! Thank you greatly.
  • @javagirl
    Melinda is an excellent interviewer.
  • @freedomtoday743
    Great show as long as Melinda interviews conservative and liberal women. We need to hear from women from all walks of life.
  • @user-nj8uk1dh8v
    Happy birthday Melinda, I really admire you thank you for sharing, very informative and I learn a lot , great guidance ❤