She hasn’t swung a tennis racket in major competition for many years; but Billie Jean King continues to play an important role in women’s sports as a rights advocate.

This week King was in Paris, France to mark the 50th anniversary of her win at the French Open.  While there, King was also awarded the Legion of Honor – the highest civilian honour awarded in France – with a ceremony at the Elysee Palace with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Now 78, King founded the Virginia Slims tour which led to the Women’s Tennis Association in 1973.

feature photo credit: Billie Jean King TFF 2007 Shankbone.jpg