Famous Figures

King's documented decision to accept Bobby Riggs' Battle of the Sexes challenge when she knew losing would set women's tennis back a decade, her founding of the Women's Tennis Association at professional risk, and her later public disclosure of her sexuality despite the known commercial consequences, reflect a Courage orientation.

Robinson's acceptance of Branch Rickey's explicit requirement that he absorb abuse for two years without retaliation - knowing that a single incident of self-defense would confirm every stereotype his presence was meant to refute - and his subsequent ability to sustain that restraint under documented daily harassment, reflect a Courage orientation of unusual moral complexity.

Ashe's documented willingness to sacrifice his career standing to protest apartheid in South Africa, his public disclosure of his HIV diagnosis before the press forced it, and his establishment of the Arthur Ashe Foundation while dying, reflect a Courage orientation that became most fully expressed under pressure.

Freeman's decision to carry both the Australian and Aboriginal flags after her 1994 Commonwealth Games victory - knowing it would cost her commercially and draw official censure - and her 2000 Olympic performance under the weight of an entire nation's symbolic expectations, reflect a Courage orientation.