May 28, 2013
Billie Jean King announces support for SS United States

   

The SS United States Conservancy is very proud to announce that tennis legend Billie Jean King has joined our SOS Campaign to save American's Flagship.  To view our full press release, click HERE. 

 

King's "Battle of the Sexes" victory against Bobby Riggs 40 years ago made her a global symbol for gender equality.  She won 39 Grand Slam singles, doubles and mixed doubles tennis titles and was ranked #1 in the world five times.  

 

"The SS United States is a part of the history of this great nation," King says, "and the more you know about history, the more you know about yourself." 


Billie Jean King and the SS United States are both true champions.  And such champions don't stop inspiring the world once their last matches have been played or their final races have been won.  They continue to contribute.  King has gone on to found the Women's Tennis Association, the Women's Sports Foundation and co-found World TeamTennis.  She currently sits on the Boards of Women's Sports Foundation, the Andy Roddick Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

   

If the SS United States Conservancy succeeds in its urgent SOS Campaign, the SS United States will be repurposed as a mixed use development and museum complex.  The SS United States Center for Design and Discovery will excite and educate visitors as it tells a powerful story of innovation and inspiration.

 

Billie Jean King and the SS United States both tell the world that anything is possible.

 

     

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Also in this Issue:
 
 

 


rallyConservancy to Hold Rally in Philadelphia
plus Screening of SS United States: Made in America   

  

 

Philadelphia's PECO building (on right) showing where the SS United States Conservancy's
 SOS message will be displayed beginning on June 17th.

The SS United States Conservancy's Philly Chapter is organizing an outreach rally to be held in Center City Philadelphia on Tuesday June 18 from 11 am to 2 pm (tentative location LOVE Park). Save the Date and show your support by attending this crucial event!
  
Additionally, the Independence Seaport Museum will host a free screening of our new documentary film, SS United States: Made In America that evening, Tuesday June 18 at 7 pm.
  
We need volunteers to help organize, promote, and attend the rally and film screening. Contact the chapter at [email protected] to find out how you can help. We need help with promotion, securing speakers for the rally and organizing a raffle for the movie screening.
  
In conjunction with this rally, the SS United States Conservancy's urgent SOS Campaign will be featured in the lighting display atop PECO's headquarters at 23rd and Market Streets in Center City Philadelphia.  Over 2 million LED bulbs contribute to the lighting display, and the Conservancy's message will run June 17, 18 and 19.
    
Any questions? Email [email protected] 


nthpNational Trust for Historic Preservation Covers Plight of United States 

 SS United States Builders Plate

    

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, one of the nation's most respected preservation advocacy groups, recently wrote a wonderful article on the SS United States and her current plight in its Preservation Nation blog.

You can read the full article here.


nthpCampaign to Save SS United States Inspires
Global Support   

Reuben Goossens, maritime historian, author and maritime lecturer based in Brisbane, Australia, has helped raise awareness of the SS United States Conservancy's efforts during his speeches and outreach, as well as his global websites, one of which can be visited  here. Reuben, a "shipowner" at SavetheUnitedStates.org writes, "My love for the SS United States has been since she was conceived, and it will remain! May she be the great American she has always been!"

Jan Kopeček has been raising awareness of the SS United States in the Czech Republic. His recent book about the history of the great oceanliners is helping to galvanize Czech support for the Conservancy's efforts.  He writes, "Because I am an engineer... I can appreciate, above all, the technological aspects of the design of SS United States, and I know, it is from many points of view, an extraordinary ship, and (the last) one, that is still here and represents the golden era of Atlantic crossings the traditional way. And so she is  important for the cultural and technical history of the world, not only of the United States, and she must be saved." 

Matteo Albertini from Milan Italy writes that the world has lost too many of the great oceanliners and "that's why I've been following the efforts of the Conservancy with admiration and gratitude."  He has been reaching out to friends, colleagues and the Italian media to help us spread the world about our urgent SOS Campaign and he sends us his full support from "a country that once also had a proud fleet of oceanliners."  Grazie, Matteo! 


shipownerShip Owner Profile: Ruth Malone   



During the summer of 1968, shipowner Ruth Malone and her family sailed aboard the SS United States from New York to Le Havre. She purchased part of the onboard shuffleboard court and describes the voyage as a memorable start to a 3 year stay in Europe. Discover more of Ruth's story and share your own at  http://savetheunitedstates.org/D106RP172


Help us reach more people in our quest
to save America's Flagship.

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SS United States Conservancy

P.O. Box 32115

Washington, DC 20007

(888)-488-7787