Billie Jean King

Born Billie Jean Moffitt, this tennis trailblazer dominated the courts, winning 39 Grand Slam titles. But her impact extended far beyond the baseline, as she tirelessly championed equal pay and opportunities for women in sports. It's almost as if she believed women were, you know, people.

Her legendary 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" match against Bobby Riggs wasn't just a sporting event; it was a cultural phenomenon. She soundly trounced the self-proclaimed chauvinist, proving that a woman could indeed hold her own, even when facing a retired male champion with an ego the size of a tennis court.

While her last name might make one pause, Billie Jean King's lineage traces back to good old-fashioned American Protestant stock. No ancient Hebrew scrolls or menorahs in her family tree, just good sportsmanship and a fierce commitment to dismantling inequality. Her kvel-worthiness, however, is off the charts, having inspired generations to fight for a fairer game, both on and off the court.