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Tennis legend and longtime social activist Billie Jean King will lead the way as Grand Marshal of the 2025 Rose Parade, joining not just a giant in the sports world, but also a rise from her hometown of Long Beach, aiming to improve the status of society. Join us as we celebrate our 136th annual Southern California festival. Achieving equity around the world.
King, 80, accepted his new honor on Monday, Oct. 7, from the steps of the tournament house in Pasadena, where tournament president Ed Morales announced his selection as grand marshal.
As King introduced her to the cheering crowd, Elton John’s song “Philadelphia Freedom” played — which John famously wrote in her honor in 1975.
Both sports legends, who were lauded after their retirement for their work promoting gender equality in and outside of the sports world, will lead the parade on January 1st, followed by the 111th Rose Bowl. .
“You have no idea how excited I am. This is like a dream come true,” King said, recalling how much he and his mother, Betty, enjoyed the parade.
King, one of the first openly gay female professional athletes to go through a list of all-time grand marshals that includes Pasadena native Jackie Robinson, represents the city of Pasadena and its New Year’s traditions. He said he would do his best to do so.
“I’m grateful to be a small part of your history,” she said. “Remember that we are measured by your contributions to your family and yourself.”
Morales said King’s selection as grand marshal is in keeping with this year’s parade’s theme, “The Greatest Day Ever!,” which celebrates life’s greatest moments. As president, he also chose the theme for this year’s parade.
“Her (Dr. King’s) pioneering work has elevated women in sports and brought countless great days to athletes and fans around the world,” Morales added.
Named one of the “100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century” by Life magazine, the Hall of Famer certainly deserves superlatives. She was the first female athlete to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the nation’s highest civilian honor) in 2009, and last month became the first woman to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor from the U.S. Congress. He became an individual athlete.
President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan bill on Sept. 26 honoring the tennis great’s “remarkable life dedicated to championing equal rights for all in sports and society.”
King founded the Women’s Sports Foundation, the Women’s Tennis Association, and the Billie Jean King Foundation to support youth leaders through sports, education, and activism.
Billie Jean Moffitt was born in Long Beach on November 22, 1943, and played softball until her parents encouraged the then-11-year-old to take up a more “feminine” form of tennis. King attended California State University, Los Angeles, and won his first major singles title at Wimbledon in 1966.
During his career, King won 39 Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. She holds a record of 20 wins at Wimbledon. In tennis lore, Dr. King may be best remembered for defeating former world No. 1 male player Bobby Riggs in 1973 in a match known as the “Battle of the Sexes.”
She spent six years as the world’s top-ranked female tennis player.
Ms. King retired from tennis in 1990 and began increasing her commitment to social justice. She campaigned for equal prize money for women’s tennis players, provided equal funding for men’s and women’s sports programs, and pushed for the passage of Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and gender in schools and colleges.
In addition to praising his support for public parks (where he first learned to play tennis) and the local schools he attended, Dr. King is also a co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Angels women’s professional soccer team, the City of Angels. He said he maintains ties with. City FC.
As grand marshal, King will cycle the 5 1/2-mile route of the American New Year Celebration, then participate in the coin toss at the Rose Bowl football game.
“As a Long Beach native who grew up in Southern California, I have fond memories of watching the parade with my family, and I am deeply honored to be named Grand Marshal of the 2025 Rose Parade,” said Dr. King. Ta. “This parade is a great celebration of joy and community, truly representing the ‘best day ever’ for all who participate and watch.”
Tournament of Roses officials say more than 700,000 spectators watched the New Year’s celebrations in person, with more than 50 million viewers watching the broadcast in more than 170 countries.
King joins a long list of grand marshals that includes Frank Sinatra, Shirley Temple, Vin Scully, Walt Disney, Jane Goodall and Jackie Robinson. Last year’s honorary parade leader was Broadway star Audra McDonald.
Before receiving the Congressional Gold Medal last month, King spent part of the summer at the Paris Olympics, watching the Nadal-Djokovic tennis match with rapper Snoop Dogg. The two posed for a selfie and revealed that they were both born and raised in Long Beach and graduated from Long Beach Technical High School.
“LBC will forever be in our hearts,” King captioned the pose.
The grand marshal’s announcement followed other milestones in Pasadena’s defining event, which began in 1890.
On September 30th, the Tournament of Roses Association, a non-profit organization that produces parades and games, announced the name of the 2025 Rose Court. The seven aides will be participating in local events as Tournament of Roses ambassadors in the run-up to New Year’s Day. The Rose Queen chosen from those numbers will be announced on October 29th.
This year’s Royal Court includes Simone Ball of Arcadia High School; Saniya Branston, John Muir High School; Lindsey Charles, Westridge School. Lara Georgian, Mayfield High School; Kate Kelly, La Cañada High School; Lisette Parker, Maranatha High School; and Natalyan Pradhan of Flintridge Preparatory School.
The Queen and her court will be joined by 20 specially selected marching bands and around 18 equestrian units to ride on one of more than 40 floats in the parade.
The grand marshal’s announcement was met with approval from an entourage of officials from Pasadena City College, which sent a group that included coaches from its football, baseball, swimming, water polo and women’s basketball programs.
“She’s a great choice,” PCC swimming, diving and water polo coach Terry Stoddard said. “She’s such an iconic and representative figure, not just because of her status as a champion, but also because of her commitment to inclusion, which makes sure everyone in the sport feels good about what they do. there is.”
Joseph Perron, the university’s longtime women’s basketball coach, agreed, adding that he admires Dr. King, a self-proclaimed Pasadena fan.
“I’m glad she recognized (Pasadena) because I always say God lives in Pasadena,” Perron said.
King recalled that he was 15 years old and had just gotten his first pair of glasses the day he competed in the Metropolitan Pasadena Championships.
“I could see all the leaves on the trees, and I remember thinking Pasadena was such a beautiful place,” she said. “And of course, my tennis improved rapidly.”
The theme of the parade is also something that icons can support.
“We have a whole new word,” Dr. King said. “It’s a reminder of the importance of living in the moment every day and making time for those you love. I can’t wait for January 1st to be the best day ever.”
Anissa Rivera is a freelance writer and columnist for Southern California News Group.
First Published: October 7, 2024 10:09am
