Althea Gibson

Being champion is all well and good, but you can't eat a crown.

I always wanted to be somebody. If I made it, it's half because I was game enough to take a lot of punishment along the way and half because there were a lot of people who cared enough to help me.

I don't want to be put on a pedestal. I just want to be reasonably successful and live a normal life with all the conveniences to make it so.

I've always been very determined, ever since I was a little girl, to make my way.

I am a big one for subtlety and empathy. My dad was softly spoken and didn't carry his honours and accomplishments for everyone to see.

When I do my makeup, it kind of helps me get into the character that I'm trying to portray.