The City of Tallahassee and FAMU are set to rename Wahnish Way after Althea Gibson

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    A group of people posing for the camera

    The City of Tallahassee is honoring the late Althea Gibson by renaming part of Wahnish Way, to Althea Gibson Way on the campus of Florida A&M University.

    On Tuesday, Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey took part in Tuesday’s unveiling ceremony at the Al Lawson Center.

    “By honoring her in this way, it is our intent to make her legacy and contributions to both athletics and civil rights, even more prominent within our community,” Dailey said during his remarks during the ceremony.

    FILE - In this May 13, 1988, file photo, tennis players Arthur Ashe, left, and Althea Gibson pose while holding trophies after being inducted into the Eastern Tennis Association Hall of Fame in New York. Gibson won an amazing 11 Grand Slam titles in three years from 1956-58, including the French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open. On Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, the USTA will unveil a statue in her honor at the U.S. Open. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan, File)

    The Florida A&M alum is credited for breaking barriers for Black people in tennis. Gibson was recruited to FAMU on an athletic scholarship, majoring in physical education. She played basketball, tennis, and golf.

    Despite having faced racism in the segregated South, Gibson took over the tennis circuit, becoming the first Black woman to compete in the U.S. Open and winning her first Grand Slam event in 1956.

    FILE - This 1968 file photo shows Althea Gibson in her East Orange, N.J. home. The United States Tennis Association will honor Althea Gibson with a statue at the U.S. Open. The first African-American to win the U.S. Nationals singles title in 1957 will be commemorated at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.(AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler, File)

    The Rattlers inducted Gibson into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 1976.

    “One of my most treasured memories as President was to attend the Althea Gibson statue unveiling at the 2019 U.S. Open,” said Larry Robinson, Ph.D., President of Florida A&M University.

    “It was such a special day for Rattlers, and in addition to the dedication of the Althea Gibson Tennis Complex on campus, this street renaming truly brings it home as we recognize an outstanding American who is an inspiration to us all.”

    Tuesday’s ceremony comes after Leon County Commissioners voted to keep Wahnish Way’s formal name, but install signs from FAMU Way to Orange Avenue calling the area ‘Althea Gibson Way’.

    The compromise means area residents won’t have to worry about changing their addresses and avoids any confusion. The City expects to have the project complete in the next few weeks.