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FLUSHING, N.Y., September 10, 2026 – 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. This year’s event celebrated Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, and entrepreneur Hoda Kotb alongside grassroots tennis leaders representing 16 USTA sections.

After spending 17 years as co-anchor of NBC’s TODAY show, Kotb now hosts the popular podcast “Making Space with Hoda Kotb” and leads the wellness community ‘Joy 101’. She was honored with this year’s US Open Billie Jean King Champion of Equality Award, which was presented by cultural icon Billie Jean King. Kotb was joined by four-time Grand Slam singles champion Kim Clijsters for a panel discussion moderated by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist Deborah Roberts. The event was emceed by tennis personality Blair Henley.

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 Kotb, women from 16 of the USTA’s sections were also recognized for being advocates for equality and trailblazers in tennis.

USTA Section ‘Champions of Equality’ Honorees:

• Melissa Clark, USTA Southwest
• Kathy Connelly, USTA Eastern
• Donna Ede, USTA Hawaii
• Marcy Hirshberg, USTA Southern
• Sarah Koudouzian, USTA Southern California
• Judy Long, USTA Northern
• Ellen Markowitz, USTA Mid-Atlantic
• Delaine Mast, USTA Middle States
• Jessica McMillen, USTA Texas
• Ethel Parker, USTA Midwest
• Mayor Maria Rivera, USTA New England
• Kaitlin Roselius, PhD., USTA Missouri Valley
• Claudia Scariot, USTA Intermountain
• Wendy Tatum, USTA Florida
• Alisha Valavanis, USTA Pacific Northwest
• Carrie Zarraonandia, USTA Northern California