The American tennis icon, Serena Williams, overcame many social barriers and challenges in order to become one of the best in the sport. She faced social issues like racism and discrimination during her two-decade tennis journey. However, despite the struggles, Williams has always stood up against social evils like racism and discrimination.

The 23 Grand Slam champion once raised her voice against racism in American healthcare centers. She also urged African-American women to protect themselves from the issues in healthcare facilities.

Serena Williams once talked about racism in American healthcare centers

A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that pregnancy-related complications cause more deaths in African American women than in white women. The American tennis legend was concerned about African American women’s health issues.

She once stated, “Doctors aren’t listening to us, just to be quite frank, We’re dying, three times more likely. And knowing that going in, some doctors not caring as much for us, it’s heartbreaking.”

The 23 Grand Slam title winner, Williams herself, faced pregnancy-related complications during the birth of her daughter Alexis Olympia. Given her medical history of blood clots, Williams was worried that she would develop blood clots in her lungs during her delivery. So, she asked a nurse to get a CT scan but the nurse denied it. However, Williams later had a CT scan, which indicated that she did have clots in her lungs.

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The American tennis player went on to say that she might not have survived if she hadn’t undergone the scan. However, after that horrific incident, Williams has always urged African American women to raise their voices against such issues in healthcare centers. She added that there is a lot of pre-judging when it comes to African American women. Williams added that it has to be discussed and resolved.

The tennis legend once talked about unequal pay for women

Williams has always shown her respect and support for other women. She is further concerned about how women are deprived of some privileges like equal pay in their workplaces. Williams once stated that women should be treated with equal respect and remuneration as men.

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She added, “How am I going to explain to my daughter that she’s getting less than my son? To me it’s impossible to explain this.” Apart from supporting women, Williams also contributes to health and education facilities for African American children and women. Serena along with her sister, Venus Williams, has established schools in order to provide education to underprivileged children. Serena’s on and off-court efforts have undoubtedly inspired a great number of fans.