Venus Williams Been Fighting for Equal Pay

Venus Williams standing in front of a green background
Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for American Express)

Before there was LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Skylar Diggins-Smith fighting for equal pay, there was Venus Williams.

Williams, a seven time Grand Slam champion, and older sister to Serena Williams, has been fighting to close the pay wage gap between men and women since 2005.  

Williams gave a speech at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in 2005 addressing the pay wage gap stating “imagine being a little girl who trains for years only to get to this stage, and you’re told you’re not the same as a boy.”

A day later, Williams went on to win her third Wimbledon title. That same year she won $1.08 Million in prize money, while her male counterpart, Roger Federer, won $1.13 Million in prize money.

Due to her speech, there was an increase the women’s championship prize money, although it still doesn’t equate to the male’s prize money.

Williams believes that change will come when athletes use their voices to bring that change.


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