By Sandra Harwitt

“From what we get, we make a living; what we give, however, makes a Life.”
— Arthur Ashe

Against all odds, Arthur Robert Ashe Jr. rose from a childhood in segregated Richmond, Virginia to become one of the most respected and admired men of his time. Unfortunately, his time on this earth as a world-class athlete, author, African American hero, world humanitarian, husband and father was cut short when he died on February 6, 1993, at age 49, of AIDS-related pneumonia.

Ashe, who contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion received during heart surgery, spent his adult life carving out an immensely successful tennis career as well as working to break down racial barriers and to enhance life for the underprivileged. Following in the footsteps of Althea Gibson, who became the first African American to make a mark in tennis by winning singles titles at Wimble don and the French and US Nationals in the late 1950’s, Ashe continued to open doors for African Americans in this traditionally segregated sport.

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