King will headline world’s largest summit addressing antisemitism and hate.
New York, NY, February 5, 2025…ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) announced today that sports icon and equality champion, Billie Jean King, will be honored with ADL’s 2025 Changemaker Award. The award will be presented during ADL’s signature event, Never Is Now: The World’s Largest Summit on Antisemitism and Hate, held at the Javits Center in New York City on March 3-4, 2025.
“The Changemaker Award honors visionary leaders who leverage their platforms to combat hate and drive meaningful change,” said Larry Scott, ADL Board Member and Founder of ADL’s Sports Industry Leadership Council. “Billie Jean King will receive this recognition for her remarkable contributions to society, including founding the Women’s Sports Foundation, the Women’s Tennis Association and the Billie Jean King Foundation, advocating for Jewish communities amid rising antisemitism, and championing LGBTQ+ rights. As a member of ADL’s Sports Leadership Council, King continues to break barriers, using her platform to raise awareness about hate and promote messages of inclusion and belonging.”
King’s dedication to advocating for marginalized communities has earned her numerous accolades, including being the first individual woman athlete to receive the Congressional Gold Medal in 2024 and the first woman athlete to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2009). As the founder and first president of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), King fought tirelessly for equal opportunities in tennis. Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987, King continues to leave an indelible mark on and off the court.
“Billie Jean King exemplifies the spirit of a changemaker,” said ADL CEO and National Director Jonathan Greenblatt. “Her relentless fight for fairness and her advocacy for marginalized communities have paved the way for a more inclusive world. We are thrilled to honor her remarkable legacy at Never Is Now.”
ADL’s Never Is Now summit will bring together over 4,000 attendees, including students, business leaders, civil rights activists, policymakers, and community organizers. King’s acceptance of the award and keynote remarks will be a highlight of the conference.
The Changemaker Award was first presented to WNBA Champion and activist Sue Bird. Previous honorees and speakers at Never Is Now include actor and activist Sacha Baron Cohen, NAACP CEO Derrick Johnson, Apple CEO Tim Cook, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, and Attorney General Merrick Garland.
For more information about Never Is Now and to register for the summit, visit ADL.org/NeverIsNow.
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all. More at www.adl.org.