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One of Many... Original 9, Garment Workers, Malala ...
In 1970, against a backdrop of widespread gender disparities in sports, nine female tennis players, led by Billie Jean King, courageously challenged the status quo of professional tennis.
Frustrated by the pay gaps and limited opportunities in their sport, these women, known as the Original 9, signed symbolic $1 contracts to launch their own tennis circuit, the Virginia Slims Circuit.
This bold move, orchestrated with the help of Gladys Heldman and the sponsorship of Virginia Slims, was not just about forming a new tour, it was a declaration of independence and a first step toward a future where women's tennis was valued equally.
Their efforts laid the groundwork for the creation of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) in 1973, uniting over 60 female tennis players with the goal of securing equal pay and fair treatment.
On March 8 1908 women garment workers in New York City protested against poor working conditions and demanded better rights - a landmark event that sparked the global movement for women's rights.
Years later, on October 9, 2012, Malala Yousafzai, a young education activist from the Swat Valley in Pakistan, was attacked by a Taliban gunman on her way home from school, in retaliation for her vocal advocacy for girls' right to education. Surviving the attack, she founded an NGO, committed to advocating for girl's education worldwide.
These stories, which cross continents and years, highlight a shared path of courage and resistance. They remind us of the lasting impact of those who fought for fairness and the importance of keep going, building on the work of those who started this movement.
Anna & Carol
Founders of AD-IN
[email protected]
www.ad-in.me
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