Heldman, Gladys

Born in New York City, Gladys Medalie Heldman (1922-2003) is best known as an author, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate for women’s tennis. Heldman’s father, George Z. Medalie was appointed as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York in 1931 and to the New York Court of Appeals in 1945. Heldman graduated from Stanford University in 1942 and received her Master’s degree from the University of California Berkeley in 1943. Shortly after graduation from Stanford, she married Julius Heldman, a former United States junior tennis champion who eventually became an executive at Shell Oil in Houston. After the birth of her two daughters, Carrie and Julie, Heldman began playing tennis in Houston. In 1954, she ranked No. 1 in Texas and No. 2 in the Southwest, and competed in the United States Championships and Wimbledon.

In addition to playing tennis, Heldman also founded the magazine Tennis World, first published in 1953. Although she sold the magazine to CBS Publication in 1972, Heldman continued to be involved in tennis professionally, especially as an advocate for women’s tennis. In 1970, she defied the USTLA (United States Tennis Lawn Association) and organized the Virginia Slims Circuit to give female tennis players the same opportunities as men to compete and win prize money. Eventually, the USTLA recognized her efforts and made her director of their women’s tour in 1972.

...