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julieheldman

@julieheldman

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🎾Former world top 10 tennis player
🖊Driven: A Daughter’s Odyssey
✉️ [email protected]
⬇️ Get my audiobook here

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Over the years I missed a variety of Original 9 reunions + events due to my battle with bipolar disorder. I also have avoided all major tennis events over the past 30-odd years.⁣
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However, Summer 2021 was unlike any other. My energy was back after having spent some lovely time laying low in quarantine with my husband, Bernie, and because of this I was able to join my Original 9 pals for celebrations, balls, awards and more over the last few months.⁣
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From the stately mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, to the glitz of NYC, Summer 2021 was just plain wonderful! You can read my detailed account on WTAtennis.com!⁣
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#wta #original9 #tennis #ITHF #USOpen by @julieheldman

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On Saturday, September 11, my mother was posthumously honored with the Eugene L. Scott Award at the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Legends Ball. ⁣
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I really believe that Mom deserves this award, so on Saturday night, I stood up in front of 300 guests in the grand Cipriani ballroom in New York City, and I gave a speech accepting the award on her behalf. In the audience was my daughter Amy, my husband Bernie, and five other Original 9 members, amongst other legends in the tennis community. ⁣
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In my speech, I spoke from my heart about Mom’s passion for tennis and her dedication to the sport, and I also disclosed many of the huge obstacles she faced along the way as our fierce leader. ⁣
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I concluded by saying “I'm extremely proud of what mom did for the world of tennis. So please forgive my lack of false modesty when I say that no one could deserve the Gene Scott award more than Gladys. I thank you so much for bestowing this honor on my mother.”⁣
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I invite you to visit tennisfame.com, where you’ll find a great article and a great video about this wonderful occasion.⁣
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Photo reposted from WTA/Tennis Hall of Fame by @julieheldman

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When I was told that the Original 9 would be getting rings from the @tennishallofame, I pictured the overly garish rings bestowed on Super Bowl champs. ⁣
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Instead, they gave us these beautiful pieces of jewelry, wearable everywhere, and engraved just for us. Thanks to all of you at the Hall of Fame!⁣
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#USOpen #WTA #USTA #original9 #ITHF #tennis #womenssports #equality taken in Arthur Ashe Stadium by @julieheldman

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It was such an honor to be on the court of the Arthur Ashe stadium with my pals and rivals, The Original Nine. Tonight we were presented with our official ITHF rings. ⁣
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Thank you to the @usta and @tennishallofame for this wonderful honor.⁣
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#USOpen (Photo taken by my family) taken in Arthur Ashe Stadium by @julieheldman

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Hello, social media world! I’m back! From March 2020 until early 2021, I was hunkered down during the pandemic with my husband Bernie and our beloved Abby, aka Abigail von Wiggle Butt.⁣
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In early 2021, my peaceful existence broke wide open when I got news that I was going to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame as a member of the Original 9. We were the group of brave women who in 1970 stood up to the male-dominated tennis associations that were attacking our right to earn a living. Our rebellion marked the beginning of the women’s pro tour.⁣
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When I was told about the induction, I became and remained excited, because I instantly knew that, for the first time in decades, I would be able to do attend such a major event in the tennis world. The insistent and deep depression that has plagued me for so very long was finally lifting enough to enable me to partake in major celebrations.⁣
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When the induction occurred in July, I felt thrilled, honored, and so very proud to be among my old pals and rivals as we accepted the huge honor.⁣
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And now I’m back on social media, renewed and ready to explore new avenues. More is coming soon . . . taken in Los Angeles, California by @julieheldman

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As this year comes to a close, I wanted to take the time to reflect, and to give myself a big "hooray!" One year ago, I could have never imagined being able to record my own audiobook. My voice is strong.
One year ago, I could have never imagined being able to travel across the country multiple times, and to the UK! My body is strong.
One year ago, I could have never imagined having the strength to be interviewed live on-camera, speak in front of crowds, and participate in book signings. My mind is strong.
So now it’s time to celebrate all of those 2019 milestones. First, I want to thank all of you who helped me. It took a lot of hard work and dedication on my end, but I couldn’t have gotten so far on my own. I look forward to seeing what 2020 has to offer, and I can't wait to keep sharing my story and providing hope for others. #driven

Photo courtesy of Crossriver Events. taken in Saint Paul, Minnesota by @julieheldman

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Here's a look back at the fantastic Salon Rouge in Minneapolis. The holiday season is upon us. I plan on spending it with my family and friends, comfortable, on a couch, like this one. #tbt taken in Minneapolis, Minnesota by @julieheldman

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My first trip to Minnesota could not have gone better. Bernie and I were treated royally, and then last night, Rabbi Fine and I sat on stage, where I told my story to a crowd of rapt listeners. What could be better? #driven taken in Saint Paul, Minnesota by @julieheldman

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A big thanks to the @salonrougeminneapolis team for getting me ready for my day and for being so hospitable! Already stopped by the @wcco studios, next up, my one on one conversation with @rabbijeremyfine. taken in Salon Rouge by @julieheldman

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I really enjoyed speaking with Lindsay Gibbs (@linzsports) at Power Plays. Her colorful writing style and commitment to women’s sports make the page come alive! This is just a small excerpt. The full article can be found at powerplays.news. #driven by @julieheldman

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#Repost @behindtheracquet ・・・
#LegendaryBTR- "I feel a wonderful sense of pride for women tennis players and women athletes in general. I’m proud that I was a member of the ‘Original 9,’ and that we risked our careers for the future of women’s tennis, and we stood up against huge odds. People now are talking about equal pay for women athletes, but at the time we were just fighting for women to make a living at all because the men who were running tennis, were trying to shut us down. The Original 9 came up in 1970, but it was only two years before that, that open tennis started. Within those two years, the men who were running tennis made it almost impossible for a woman to continue playing, because there was a total of $5,000 in prize money, all year, for all women in the United States in 1970. In reaction to the terrible inequity, my mother and her magazine contributed an additional $5,000 to two separate tournaments. Besides these additions there were many weeks without anywhere to play. Jack Kramer, who was running the Los Angeles tournament, set the prize money ratio at eight to one, men to women. At the US Open, three top players, Billie Jean King, Nancy Richey and Rosie Casals, approached my mother and said, ‘Help, this is all falling apart,’ so my mother started the Houston tournament. First, she made sure Kramer wouldn’t oppose the Houston tournament, but then at the last minute he reneged and convinced the USLTA to stop the Houston event. One official called all the Houston players, saying that if you play, you'll be suspended and won't be able to play anywhere else. The official stated that the USLTA would approve the tournament only if the women competed as amateurs and wouldn’t receive any prize money. They were throwing everything at us, to stop us from succeeding. We were stuck. We could not turn to the USLTA, we couldn't turn to Kramer, we were on our own. Fortunately, my mother had the will, the energy, and the brilliance to put together not only the tournament, but with the help of Virginia Slims Cigarettes, part of a fortune 500 company, the Virginia Slims Circuit...” @julieheldman
To continue reading full story go to behindtheracquet.com by @julieheldman

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This spring, @childmindinstitute, a wonderful nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children struggling with mental health and learning disorders, asked me to do a short video giving advice to my younger self. In the video, I told the truth about the emotional abuse I grew up with, while giving a message of well-earned hope. Today is world mental health day, a fitting occasion to show that video once again. The theme this year is mental health promotion and suicide prevention. I myself attempted suicide, but for decades I was too ashamed to speak about it publicly. It’s important that we remove the stigma from such painful truths and discuss them openly. Suicide is often the result of feeling completely alone. Let’s remove that aloneness by revealing our own hurts. And let’s make mental health care more readily available.

I have been blessed with a wonderful mental health team and the strong support of my family. I wish the same for all who are struggling with mental health issues.

If you or a friend is plagued with suicidal thoughts, pick up the phone and call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline today: 1-800-273-8255.

#worldmentalhealthday #driven by @julieheldman

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