⬅️ The history
Before Title IX, women had limited opportunities to participate in sports. The NCAA didn’t offer scholarships or host championships for women’s sports.
Back in 1972, only 30K women were involved in college sports compared to 170K male athletes. Not a fair game, huh?
Thankfully, Representative Patsy T. Mink decided to change the status quo. She was the first woman of color elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the primary sponsor of Title IX, inspired by her own struggles with education.
Other key figures who supported Title IX include Rep. Edith Green and Dr. Bernice Sandler who fought against gender discrimination.
Female athletes also played a significant role in passing Title IX. Tennis icon Billie Jean King, for example, advocated for gender equity in sports and testified in favor of Title IX in 1972.
❓ What Title IX does
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Title IX is a concise statement that changed everything: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” This text had a profound impact.
While the term “sports” isn’t directly mentioned, women’s sports greatly benefited from Title IX. High schools and colleges are now required to provide equal opportunities and treatment in both women’s and men’s sports.Title IX also extends beyond athletics, protecting students from sexual harassment and violence as clarified by the Department of Education in 2011 and reaffirmed in 2016 to include transgender students.
💪 The progress
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Since the enactment of Title IX, women’s sports have seen significant milestones. Let’s revisit a few key moments:
🏀 Breaking barriers in basketball: Title IX bridged the gap in scholarships, allowing players like Ann Meyers to receive a four-year athletic scholarship at UCLA in 1974.
Meyers went on to achieve more milestones, including the first quadruple-double in NCAA Division I history in 1978 and becoming the first woman to sign an NBA contract in 1979.
🏆 Championship moments: The NCAA established Division I women’s national championships in 1981, crowning champions in various sports, paving the way for female athletes to shine.
⚽ ️World Cup triumph: The inaugural women’s World Cup in 1991, won by the USWNT, showcased the talent of NCAA stars and the impact of Title IX.
🔢 Title IX by the numbers
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From 1972 to 2022, the participation of girls in high school sports grew significantly, reaching 3.3 million players.
In the realm of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, female athletes have made strides, with a majority on the top 100 list for the 2023-24 season.
Revenue-sharing in college sports poses a new frontier for Title IX, as questions arise regarding compensation and fairness.
🔮 The future
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While celebrating the progress made under Title IX, there are still challenges ahead for collegiate women athletes.
Issues such as trans athlete discrimination, lack of enforcement, and revenue-sharing in college sports need to be addressed to ensure fairness and equality.
*For more insights, check our interview with former NCAA athlete and trans activist Schuyler Bailar on supporting trans athletes.
