Ora Washington: The champion the world ignored. You might know this tennis and basketball star, were it not for the colour of her skin. Renee Montgomery investigates her story.
8 Available Episodes (8 Total)Average duration: 00:26:45
Oct 09, 2022
7. Flowers for Ora
00:34:53
“Possibly the best female athlete” of her era – why was Ora Washington forgotten? And we meet her family, who are relieved that their Aunt Ora’s achievements are now being acknowledged: “I felt so good that now, even though this is 2022, she's still being recognised”.
Please note, this episode contains some outdated language that may offend. #UntoldLegends
Oct 03, 2022
6. Defending her throne
00:26:27
Cracks appear after two decades at the top of black tennis. A new generation of elite athletes want her crown. But is Ora ready to retire? Her hair is greying now and she wears glasses on court. Can she pull off one more victory – against future great Althea Gibson - under the hot Alabama sun? Please note, this episode contains some outdated language that may offend. #UntoldLegends
Sep 25, 2022
5. Playing like a ‘real woman’
00:27:57
Ora is at the peak of her sports, but off the court, stars are expected to appear “sufficiently feminine”. If you didn’t, you faced prejudice.
Please note, this episode contains some outdated language that may offend.
This episode was updated on 29 September 2022, to correct some information about the basketball coach, Joe Rainey
#UntoldLegends
Sep 17, 2022
4. Queen of two courts
00:32:28
Basketball beckons. The elite tennis player tries a new sport – and it’s a crowd puller. Ora’s quickness and agility translate to the basketball court, as her career takes off in tandem with tennis. But does America have room for a true queen of two courts? Please note, this episode contains some outdated language that may offend. #UntoldLegends
Sep 11, 2022
3. Advantage Ora
00:29:07
Can she beat the best? Ora is the underdog against the crowd favourite, the formidable Isadora “Izzy” Channels of Chicago. It’s a brutally hot day in Harlem and the mood is tense. Everything is at stake. If Ora wins, she joins the black tennis elite. Please note, this episode contains some outdated language that may offend. #UntoldLegends
Sep 04, 2022
2. A radical statement
00:30:09
“She loved to compete”: Ora takes her first tennis lesson. But race, sex and class prejudice stand in her way. It’s the 1920s and Ora has gone north to Philadelphia – a city of opportunity and danger. Racial tensions are high in her neighbourhood. What motivates her to start playing the so-called ‘gentleman’s game’? Please note, this episode contains some outdated language that may offend. #UntoldLegends
Aug 28, 2022
1. An empty chair
00:30:08
Who was Ora Washington? The southern farm girl who wanted more. But recognition came too late – why was the guest of honour at a star-studded event missing? Ora was a brilliant tennis and basketball player who fought to make her name in racially segregated America. We find out about her early life in Virginia. Please note, this episode contains some outdated language that may offend. #UntoldLegends
Aug 11, 2022
Season 1 trailer: Ora
00:02:52
The Queen of two courts. Ora Washington is the star the world ignored. It’s time everyone knew her name. Ora was a black tennis champion in the era of racial segregation in the United States. She was a basketball star too.
Hosted by Renee Montgomery, former basketball player, the co-owner of the WNBA team, Atlanta Dream and a self-described “sports history geek”.
Discover Ora’s story from 29 August 2022.
Oct 09 | 00:34:53
7. Flowers for Ora
Oct 03 | 00:26:27
6. Defending her throne
Sep 25 | 00:27:57
5. Playing like a ‘real woman’
Sep 17 | 00:32:28
4. Queen of two courts
Sep 11 | 00:29:07
3. Advantage Ora
Sep 04 | 00:30:09
2. A radical statement
Aug 28 | 00:30:08
1. An empty chair
Aug 11 | 00:02:52
Season 1 trailer: Ora
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