Beyond buckets and boards, WNBA legend Tina Charles leaves behind a legacy of social activism

My experience absolutely pales in comparison with what they went through.

But what they likely felt—not being able to do something so simple, so human, as to control their own breathing—I don’t know … it just registers with me and cuts even deeper.

I’ve also realized that, while I was able to get immediate medical attention when my asthma attack happened during a game, when I take off that uniform, I’m no different from any other African-American who could be subjected to racism at any time. And the more I’ve been able to spend some time thinking and reading and learning about what’s going on in this country—what’s been going on in this country for a loooooong time—the more convinced I am that I need to be a part of making sure change happens as soon as possible. In 2025, Charles received the WNBA’s Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award for the second time in her career for her sustained advocacy work; she first was awarded the honor in 2012. Before announcing her retirement, Charles had one more score to settle. When the WNBA and the WNBPA agreed to their landmark CBA deal in March, it was Charles who put the cherry on top of the sundae. She ensured that, if a retired player passed away, their player recognition benefits would go directly to their beneficiaries. In keeping with a celebrated tradition of athlete activism, Tina Charles came onto the stage great, but exited stage right greater.