Four pioneering Black women received Congressional Gold Medals for their contributions to early efforts at space exploration during a formal ceremony at Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday.

WASHINGTON — Billie Jean King will become the first individual female athlete to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal . Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey announced Tuesday that their bipartisan legislation had passed the House of Representatives and would be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature.

Billie Jean King will make history as the first female athlete to be awarded a Congressional Gold Medal after the House passed bipartisan legislation in favor of the accolade Tuesday. The big picture: The 80-year-old tennis legend will receive the nation's highest civilian honor in recognition of King's "lifetime of work fighting for Title IX,