See It To Be It: Eleven Champions Leading Women’s Sports Today

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In See It To Be It, Billie Jean King highlights athletes who use their success to create opportunities for others. Have students celebrate people in their community who look beyond their own achievements and help open doors for those who follow.

Invite students to create a profile of someone in their school, family, or community using the profiles in See It To Be It as a model. The person does not have to be an athlete; students might choose someone who started a new program, challenged a barrier, supported others, or helped create an opportunity that did not exist before. Have students conduct an interview with their subject and gather information about their journey, including the accomplishments they are proud of, the challenges they faced, the people who supported them, and the impact of their actions. 

To complete their profiles, ask students to title them with a quote or an idea from their interview that captures what makes this person’s story meaningful. Then have them share their profiles in a class display, digital collection, or presentation that celebrates the people in their lives who are helping others see what is possible.

Questions for Discussion or Reflective Writing

• Billie Jean King found inspiration reading Althea Gibson’s memoir, and several athletes in the book also grew up reading about women in sports. What did those stories give them? Which person or story has expanded what you can imagine for yourself?
• Titles for each chapter are quotes from Billie Jean King, like “Pressure is a Privilege,” “Be a Problem Solver,” and “Starts with Integrity.” How do these quotes fit each athlete’s story? What phrase would you use to title a chapter about a goal you are pursuing?
• Billie Jean King says, “You have to see it to be it.” How do the athletes in this book show that representation can change what people imagine for themselves? How can one person’s achievement create opportunities for an entire community?
• The athletes in this book are celebrated for what they accomplish in competition, but many also use their voices to advocate for change. Why do you think these athletes see leadership as part of their role? Can you identify a catalyst that led them to take the actions they did? What responsibilities come with having a platform?
• How does knowing more about the journeys of these athletes change the way you view their accomplishments? How can learning about an athlete’s identity deepen our understanding of the choices they make on and off the field?
• Of those featured in the book, who do you most admire, and why? Are there other athletes that you feel should have been included in this book? Who are they and why do you think they should be included?

Related Resources

See It To Be It Discussion Guide from Astra Publishing House

See It To Be It Q&A from Astra Publishing House

What Makes a Good Interview? from StoryMaker, PBS News Student Reporting Labs