In a heartfelt celebration of family and legacy, Coco Gauff and her mother, Candi Gauff, marked the birthday of Yvonne Lee Odom, Coco’s maternal grandmother and a pioneering civil rights activist, with emotional tributes that resonated far beyond their Delray Beach roots. On May 10, 2025, as Coco competed at the Italian Open in Rome, Candi took to Instagram to share a touching post dedicated to her mother, a woman whose courage in desegregating Florida schools in 1961 continues to inspire. Coco, the world No. 3 tennis star, echoed her mother’s sentiments with a moving Instagram story, celebrating the woman who shaped her values and activism. The outpouring of love underscored the profound influence Odom, a stage 4 lung cancer survivor, has had on her family and community.
Yvonne Odom’s story is one of remarkable bravery. At just 15, she became the first Black student to integrate Seacrest High School in Delray Beach, facing racial prejudice and systemic barriers with unwavering resolve. “I wasn’t afraid. If they told me to integrate, I was going to integrate,” Odom later recalled, reflecting on her historic walk into the all-white school. Denied access to sports and relegated to separate facilities, she persevered, later earning degrees from Florida Atlantic University and Nova University. Odom taught for 45 years, shaping generations in Palm Beach County, and co-founded the Delray Beach American Little League with her husband, Eddie “Red” Odom, to provide opportunities for Black youth. Her resilience, coupled with her battle against lung cancer, has made her a beacon of strength.
Candi’s Instagram post was a vibrant collage of Odom’s life, capturing her radiant smile and indomitable spirit. “Guess what? It’s my mom’s birthday! Yvonne Odom. Let’s wish my mom a happy birthday. I love you! Today is your day especially designed for YOU!” Candi wrote, her words brimming with pride and affection. The post highlighted Odom’s role as a community leader and her enduring impact on her daughter and grandchildren. Coco, unable to attend in person due to her Italian Open commitments, shared a collage on her Instagram story featuring cherished moments with her grandmother. “Happy birthday to my beautiful grandmother, thank you for helping to shape me to the woman I am today, I love you @yvonne.odom,” she captioned, her message a testament to Odom’s influence on her identity as both an athlete and an advocate.
Coco has often credited Odom for her vocal stance on social issues. After her 2023 US Open victory, she spoke of her grandmother’s lessons in empathy. “She always taught me to approach every situation with kindness and understanding,” Coco said, noting that Odom’s experiences during the civil rights era made her own activism—through speeches or social media—feel “so easy” by comparison. Odom’s integration of Seacrest High, just months after Ruby Bridges’ historic school desegregation, faced significant challenges, including being barred from sports despite her prowess as a sprinter and basketball player. “I was really fast, nobody ever beat me,” Odom once shared, lamenting the lost chance at a Tennessee State University scholarship. Yet, she sees her granddaughter’s success as a fulfillment of those dreams, once saying, “Coco was destined for greatness!”
On the court, Coco’s 2025 season has been a mix of triumphs and challenges. After a first-round bye at the Italian Open, she battled past Victoria Mboko in three sets and was set to face Magda Linette in the third round on May 11. Her recent performances, including a hard-fought win at Indian Wells on International Women’s Day, reflect the resilience Odom instilled in her. Off the court, Coco continues to honor her grandmother’s legacy, from launching her “Coco Delray” New Balance sneakers inspired by Odom to advocating for equality. “She’s the reason I’m so vocal on certain issues,” Coco said, crediting Odom’s courage as her north star.
As Odom celebrated her birthday, surrounded by family and community admiration, her story stood as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices that paved the way for future generations. Candi’s and Coco’s tributes were more than a birthday wish—they were a celebration of a woman whose legacy of kindness, courage, and activism continues to shape a tennis superstar and inspire the world.
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