Gladys Heldman: Difference between revisions
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'''Gladys Heldman''' (b. [[May 13]], [[1922]]-d. [[June 22]], [[2003]]) was the founder of World Tennis magazine; she supported [[Billie Jean King]] and other disgruntled female tennis players who formed the Virginia Slims Tour in the early 1970s (the precursor of today's WTA |
'''Gladys Medalie Heldman''' (b. [[May 13]], [[1922]]-d. [[June 22]], [[2003]]) was the founder of World Tennis magazine; she supported [[Billie Jean King]] and other disgruntled female tennis players who formed the Virginia Slims Tour in the early 1970s (the precursor of today's [[WTA Tour]]). She is a member of the [[International Tennis Hall of Fame]]<ref>http://www.tennisfame.com/famer.aspx?pgID=867&hof_id=143</ref> and the [[International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame]]<ref>http://www.jewishsports.net/</ref>. |
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Heldman first became interested in tennis after marrying Julius Heldman, the left-handed United States junior champion in 1936. Gladys started playing tennis after her two daughters were born (her daughters, Carrie Heldman and [[Julie Heldman]], had national junior rankings, and Julie was ranked as high as No. 5 in the world). Originally a New Yorker, Gladys rose to a No. 1 ranking in Texas, as well as No. 2 in the Southwest; she even appeared at [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]] in 1954 and also competed in the U.S. Championships at Forest Hills. |
Heldman first became interested in tennis after marrying Julius Heldman, the left-handed United States junior champion in 1936. Gladys started playing tennis after her two daughters were born (her daughters, Carrie Heldman and [[Julie Heldman]], had national junior rankings, and Julie was ranked as high as No. 5 in the world). Originally a New Yorker, Gladys rose to a No. 1 ranking in [[Texas]], as well as No. 2 in the Southwest; she even appeared at [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]] in 1954 and also competed in the [[US Open (tennis)|U.S. Championships]] at [[Forest Hills, Queens|Forest Hills]]. |
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Gladys Heldman is best known for founding the World Tennis magazine in 1953, and for promoting the women's game during the 1950s and 1960s. She worked with female tennis players to create a separate women's circuit in 1970. Female players felt they were being denied the financial rewards of the men's game. With Gladys' organization, top players including [[Billie Jean King]], [[Rosie Casals]], and her daughter Julie, formed a separate women's tour. With backing from Joe Cullman of Phillip Morris, the first participants in the circuit, known as the "Houston Nine," played the first Virginia Slims Circuit tournament in Houston in late 1970. The players accepted $1 contracts from Heldman. The tournament was a success, and although the American players were temporarily suspended by the USTA, the Virginia Slims Circuit became so popular that it eventually merged with the USTA. |
Gladys Heldman is best known for founding the World Tennis magazine in 1953, and for promoting the women's game during the 1950s and 1960s. She worked with female tennis players to create a separate women's circuit in 1970. Female players felt they were being denied the financial rewards of the men's game. With Gladys' organization, top players including [[Billie Jean King]], [[Rosie Casals]], and her daughter Julie, formed a separate women's tour. With backing from Joe Cullman of [[Phillip Morris]], the first participants in the circuit, known as the "Houston Nine," played the first Virginia Slims Circuit tournament in [[Houston]] in late 1970. The players accepted $1 contracts from Heldman. The tournament was a success, and although the American players were temporarily suspended by the [[United States Tennis Association|USTA]], the Virginia Slims Circuit became so popular that it eventually merged with the USTA. |
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Heldman sold her magazine to CBS Publications in 1972 and was out of tennis politics by the middle of the 1970's. |
Heldman sold her magazine to CBS Publications in 1972 and was out of tennis politics by the middle of the 1970's. |
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Gladys Medalie Heidman was born May 13, 1922, in New York City. Her father, George Z. Medalie, was a New York lawyer and judge. A [[Phi Beta Kappa]] graduate of [[Stanford University]], she married [[Julius Heldman]], a former United States junior tennis champion, in 1942. |
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==References== |
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The Heldmans' daughters, Carrie and [[Julie Heldman| Julie]], were accomplished players; Julie was ranked as high as No. 5 in the world in 1969 and 1974. |
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{{reflist}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Heldman, Gladys}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Heldman, Gladys}} |
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[[Category:1922 births]] |
[[Category:1922 births]] |
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[[Category:2003 deaths]] |
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[[Category:People from New York]] |
[[Category:People from New York]] |
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Revision as of 04:50, 23 February 2008
Gladys Medalie Heldman (b. May 13, 1922-d. June 22, 2003) was the founder of World Tennis magazine; she supported Billie Jean King and other disgruntled female tennis players who formed the Virginia Slims Tour in the early 1970s (the precursor of today's WTA Tour). She is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame[1] and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame[2].
Heldman first became interested in tennis after marrying Julius Heldman, the left-handed United States junior champion in 1936. Gladys started playing tennis after her two daughters were born (her daughters, Carrie Heldman and Julie Heldman, had national junior rankings, and Julie was ranked as high as No. 5 in the world). Originally a New Yorker, Gladys rose to a No. 1 ranking in Texas, as well as No. 2 in the Southwest; she even appeared at Wimbledon in 1954 and also competed in the U.S. Championships at Forest Hills.
Gladys Heldman is best known for founding the World Tennis magazine in 1953, and for promoting the women's game during the 1950s and 1960s. She worked with female tennis players to create a separate women's circuit in 1970. Female players felt they were being denied the financial rewards of the men's game. With Gladys' organization, top players including Billie Jean King, Rosie Casals, and her daughter Julie, formed a separate women's tour. With backing from Joe Cullman of Phillip Morris, the first participants in the circuit, known as the "Houston Nine," played the first Virginia Slims Circuit tournament in Houston in late 1970. The players accepted $1 contracts from Heldman. The tournament was a success, and although the American players were temporarily suspended by the USTA, the Virginia Slims Circuit became so popular that it eventually merged with the USTA.
Heldman sold her magazine to CBS Publications in 1972 and was out of tennis politics by the middle of the 1970's.
Heidman was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1979.[3]