Untold Legends

Aug 30 2024 10 ep. 115
Untold Legends Podcast artwork

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 Ora’s story.

  Society & Culture
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Season 1 trailer: Ora

Aug 11 2022 2 mins  
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�

1. An empty chair

Aug 28 2022 30 mins  
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 Please note, this episode contains some outdated language that may off

2. A radical statement

Sep 04 2022 30 mins  
“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 Please note, this episode contains some outdated lan

3. Advantage Ora

Sep 11 2022 29 mins  
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 Please note, this episode contains some outdated language that may offend.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

4. Queen of two courts

Sep 17 2022 32 mins  
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 Please note, this episode contains some outdated language that may offend.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

5. Playing like a ‘real woman’

Sep 25 2022 27 mins  
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

6. Defending her throne

Oct 03 2022 26 mins  
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. #UntoldLegen

7. Flowers for Ora

Oct 09 2022 34 mins  
“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

Bonus: The Black 14

Apr 03 2024 32 mins  
A bonus episode from the Amazing Sport Stories podcast – The Black 14. Sport, racism and protests are about to change the lives of “the Black 14” American footballers. It’s 1969 in the United States. They’ve arrived on scholarships at the University of Wyoming to play for its Cowboys American football team. It was a predominantly white college. The team is treated like a

Season 2 trailer: Hedy Lamarr

Aug 30 2024 3 mins  
A refugee who escaped the Nazis, a feminist filmmaker and beauty icon, and one of Hollywood’s most famous golden-age stars. You might think you already know her story, but there’s another side to Hedy Lamarr - a genius history overlooked and a true untold legend of invention. This is the amazing story of how one of the most recognisable faces of her time was never seen for who