Serena Williams: inspirational female

Serena Williams is appearing as an inspirational figure in places increasingly far away from the confines of the tennis court.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion, arguably the most successful athlete of all time, appears in the children’s storybook entitled Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls.

Beautifully illustrated, the book features the stories of 100 extraordinary women. Joining Williams in the book – a project conceived by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo – are other notable figures from all areas of achievement including JK Rowling, Zaha Hadid, Beyonce, Marie Curie, Ellen Degeneres, Amelia Earhart, Joan Jett, Coco Chanel and Simone Biles.

Serena Williams art by Erin Marlowe, from the must-have GOODNIGHT STORIES FOR REBEL GIRLS #WomensHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/IgiUUfBPPJ

— Bridget Hodder (@BridgetsBooks) March 6, 2017

As per a Booktopia blurb: “What if the princess did not marry Prince Charming but instead went on to be an astronaut or an activist? What if the jealous step sisters were supportive and kind? And what if the queen was the one really in charge of the kingdom?

“This book brings together the stories of scientists, artists, politicians, pirates and spies. Each double-page spread contains a mini-biography written in the style of a modern fairy tale and a full-page portrait capturing the spirit of each heroine, by one of the sixty female artists from across the globe who were commissioned to illustrate the book.”

Serena’s spread documents the story of how she and Venus developed their games under father Richard’s guidance on the public courts of Compton before going on to dominate tennis – a rise seen through the eyes of a mythical taco vendor named Raul.

The book is not the only sphere in which Williams is lifting up her fellow females.

A UK-based company, Women To Look Up To, has created a range of Christmas-tree angels in the form of inspirational women to adorn trees this festive season.

They have sold out.

Serena is one of the women “worthy of wings”, as are Beyonce and Hillary Clinton.

#TodayOnQL | She Did That. | Tree Toppers by Women To Look Up To. | https://t.co/IbzZo6hW4f #fortheculture pic.twitter.com/DNsirHVold

— Quiet Lunch (@TheQuietLunch) December 5, 2017

According to Women To Look Up To’s website: “The Christmas Angel, Fairy, Tree Topper, by whatever name you call her, is a woman from a bygone era; a woman made of no more than plastic and glitter. No wonder, when the Victorians invented her!

“The old dame was due a modern makeover, so we thought why not venerate the real women inspiring us in 2017. Women leading politics, culture, business, who are worthy of wings – the likes of Serena Williams, Beyoncé, and a woman voted for by you.

“(They’re) 3D-sculpted and printed from the highest grade 3D plaster in a range of sizes to suit your tree. These hand finished Angelic Women know how to steal the show in your home, at the Christmas Party, or in grand public spaces.”

In another nod to her inspirational qualities, Williams last year fronted Beats by Dre’s “Be Heard” marketing campaign, where she is positioned front and centre of the artwork, flanked by male sports stars and donning the iconic headphones.