Jessica McMillen Honored at US Open ‘Champions of Equality’ event
Jessica McMillen poses for a picture with an award during the Champions of Equality on Day Twelve of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Thursday, September 10, 2026 in Flushing, NY. (Photo by Mike Lawrence/USTA)
The US Open held its fourth annual Champions of Equality event on Thursday to honor women leading the fight for equality across sports, entertainment, and society.
Among those honored was none other than Texas' very own Jessica McMillen, a dedicated tennis leader and 2023 Best of Texas Tennis Junior Team Tennis Organizer achievement recipient; she has served on the USTA Texas Board of Directors, chaired the USTA Texas Junior Team Tennis Committee, and served on the National Local Play and Competition Committee.
McMillen shared her excitement on receiving the 2026 recognition and expressed her gratitude to USTA Texas for supporting her passion for expanding access and fostering inclusivity for female players.
"Being named a 2026 USTA Champion of Equality is such a thrill! I’m so grateful to USTA Texas for celebrating the work I love most: opening doors, creating opportunities, and making tennis a bigger, more inclusive game for women and girls," she said. "I’m proud of how far we’ve come, and even more excited about where we’re going!
Past Champion of Equality honorees include Billie Jean King, seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams, award-winning television creator, producer and author Shonda Rhimes, acclaimed filmmaker, director, producer, and screenwriter Ava DuVernay and former US Open tournament director Stacey Allaster.
Alongside McMillen, women from 16 of the USTA’s sections were also recognized for being advocates for equality and trailblazers in tennis.
To access and download the video from the evening: Click Here
The full list of USTA Section honorees:
USTA Section ‘Champions of Equality’
USTA Eastern – Kathy Connelly
USTA Florida – Wendy Tatum
USTA Hawaii – Donna Ede
USTA Intermountain – Claudia Scariot
USTA Mid-Atlantic – Ellen Markowitz
USTA Middle States – Delaine Mast
USTA Midwest – Ethel Parker
USTA Missouri Valley – Kaitlin Roselius, PhD.
USTA New England – Mayor Maria Rivera
USTA Northern – Judy Long
USTA Northern California – Carrie Zarraonandia
USTA Pacific Northwest – Alisha Valavanis
USTA Southern – Marcy Hirshberg
USTA Southern California – Sarah Koudouzian
USTA Southwest – Melissa Clark
USTA Texas – Jessica McMillen
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