Growing up in the late 1940s, Phyllis \u201cWoodie\u201d Sublett Walker basically had three choices. She could become a teacher, a nurse or a secretary.<\/p>\n

None of those piqued her interest. Instead, she worked to become an internationally-acclaimed tennis official.<\/p>\n

Walker received the Woodie Walker \u201cC.A.R.E.\u201d award last month at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing, New York. The initials stand for: commitment, accountability, responsibility and excellence.<\/p>\n

Not in attendance for the famous Billie Jean King-Bobby Riggs \u201cBattle of the Sexes\u201d tennis match at the Houston Astrodome in 1973, Walker was a trailblazer in her own right, carving an indelible legacy from the sidelines. With the advent of Title IX, women wanted equal pay and equal opportunity. Informing her superiors of this, she was met with astonishment, trepidation and perhaps even fear.<\/p>\n

Although it might be politically incorrect to refer to a cigarette commercial, some might recall the old Virginia Slims ad: \u201cYou\u2019ve come a long way, baby.\u201d But Walker thinks women\u2019s athletics still have a long way to go. The current \u201cBattle of the Sexes\u201d movie couldn\u2019t have come at a better time for those who don\u2019t remember the sexist climate that was so pervasive back in the day.<\/p>\n

An estimated 90 million viewers from around the world tuned in to watch King, 29, defeat Riggs, 55, in a $100,000 winner-take-all match in the wake of the sexual revolution and rise of the women\u2019s movement. Walker watched the movie last weekend.<\/p>\n

\u201cJack Kramer had a key role in trying to keep the women down and being against equal prize money,\u201d said Walker, a Newburgh resident who turned 88 Sunday. \u201cI knew him and he was a very good friend of my older brother and worked very hard for tennis but thought it was a male sport. Billie Jean was instrumental in changing that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walker, who got her nickname because her maiden name was Wood, remembers how patronizing men were to women.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was in using terms like \u2018the girls,\u2019 \u2018gals,\u2019 \u2018sweetheart\u2019\u2026that reminded us that we were not taken seriously,\u201d she said. \u201cWhat was interesting to me was realizing that I actually knew most of the \u2018names\u2019 in the movie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walker said it was probably the first time anyone started talking about gender or being gay or lesbian in relation to sports.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat took a lot of strength on the part of BJK\u2026and we HAVE come a long way baby! That was well-handled in the movie,\u201d Walker said. \u201cThat being said, there is work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walker was fortunate to have a father who believed in her and said she could be whatever she wanted to be.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe never had me in a strictly \u2018feminine role,\u2019\u2019\u2019 she said. \u201cI trailered my horse by myself to some horse shows. I also had three older brothers whom I idolized and whom never saw limitations in what I could or should do. I was the only girl in the family, the youngest, so I learned by watching, but they gave me confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, there was still a misconception that women belonged in the \u201cbedroom and kitchen,\u201d Walker said.<\/p>\n

She had to learn to speak up for herself, but never really set out to be a role model.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just doing what I loved to do and what I thought was fair,\u201d Walker said.<\/p>\n

Beginning her officiating career in 1968, Walker became manager of Tri-State Racquet Club (now Tri-State Athletic Club) in 1972, the only woman manager of an indoor facility that she knew of in the area. She was chief umpire of the U.S. Open from 1985-88 and the only female chief umpire of any of the Grand Slams for several years. Still chief umpire of the USTA (United States Tennis Association) in 2014, she presided over her last U.S. Open before retiring.<\/p>\n

Small in stature, Walker had the ability to take control. Serving\u00a0as chair umpire for one of John McEnroe\u2019s matches at the Indianapolis Clay Courts Tournament, she had no problems.<\/p>\n

However, Walker remembered one particular 1982 match at a tournament in California. She overruled a line judge, saying Ivan Lendl had faulted on his first serve. Lendl stared her down.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe bounced the ball and looked at me and said, \u2018Was it long or wide?\u2019 I said it was wide and he said, \u2018You\u2019re right.\u2019\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

That was it. Walker had gained Lendl\u2019s respect. Through the years, she earned the respect of the international tennis community and beyond. Kind of like Billie Jean King, in that pivotal exhibition match against Bobby Riggs in 1973.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"