Billie Jean King
December 29, 2008 12:00 AM EST
For most of her amazing career, sportswriter Mary Garber, who died Sept. 21 at 92, navigated uncharted waters. While Mary went quietly about her job, she understood that she was a pioneer for women, for sports and for all of us. She understood the importance of breaking the barriers but was still focused on getting a balanced story.
There were no female sportswriters when I faced Bobby Riggs in 1973. It was a sign of the times that many editors–like Mary’s–didn’t see the need to assign a female sportswriter. I have always wished that Mary could have been there. Her take would have been very special.
I remember playing a World TeamTennis match in the 1980s near Mary’s office. I wanted to hear about her life, her quest for equality; and I needed to do it on her turf, where I could see her signature socks and cap. We met at the newspaper, and it was an enlightening experience.
Mary never received the recognition she deserved, and it was not until much later that the accolades began to arrive. When my friend Bill Dwyre at the L.A. Times called to let me know that Mary was about to become the first woman to receive the prestigious Red Smith Award from her peers, I remember thinking, “It’s about time!”
King is a Hall of Fame tennis player and champion of gender equity in sports
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