Release Year: 2011
Synopsis:
Eric Drath's 2011 documentary Renée provides a profound look into the life of Renée Richards, a trailblazing figure in the world of tennis and a pioneering voice in the transgender rights movement. Richards, born Richard Raskind on August 19, 1934, in New York City, was a highly respected ophthalmologist and a successful professional tennis player before undergoing male-to-female sex reassignment surgery in the mid-1970s. Her journey, marked by personal and public struggles, made her one of the most significant figures in the intersection of sports and transgender rights.
Richards’ early life was defined by exceptional athletic talent. Raised in Forest Hills, Queens, she was the child of David Raskind, an orthopedic surgeon, and Ruth Raskind, one of the first female psychiatrists in the United States. From an early age, she excelled in a variety of sports, becoming an accomplished baseball player, swimmer, and tennis player. Her prowess in tennis led to her becoming captain of the men's tennis team at Yale University, where she was regarded as one of the top collegiate players of her time. After graduating, she pursued a medical career, specializing in ophthalmology. Her career as a doctor was just as successful as her athletic endeavors, and she served in the U.S. Navy, where she continued to play competitive tennis. She achieved high rankings in men’s tennis and later reached the top ranks in women’s tennis after her transition.
