
“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 educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Those words are contained in Title IX, which celebrated its 50th anniversary on June 23, 2022.
The 37 words that changed everything were read by male and female athletes in Candace Parker’s documentary that recently ran on TBS. The forward from the 2021 WNBA champions, Chicago Sky, said, “My generation is the first to take advantage of Title IX. My mother could not play basketball at the University of Iowa, no athletics for women at that level. I know how important it is. If my daughter chooses to play sports, she’ll have the same opportunities as a male. I was lucky to have a coach who was very instrumental in the fight for Title IX, and women’s rights. Title IX has meant a lot to the sport, and my family as well.”
Since 1972, when President Nixon signed into law Title IX of the Education Amendments, there has been a push back by some institutions, alleging that funding and implementation could lead to discrimination against men.
Even so, at some institutions the recruitment of heads of women’s sports has been quick, placing women’s sports into competitive leagues and out of the physical education club category. To establish equitable practice facilities and equipment was part of the implementation of the bill. In other places lawsuits were filed against saying that adding women’s sports would cause a financial burden and assuming that since there were no women’s sports it was a result of women’s disinterest.
Today, events to educate the public about Title IX are planned by many organizations. At one event, Professor Gwendolyn Mink spoke about her mother, one of 10 women Representatives in 1972, the late Patsy Takemoto Mink, the main sponsor. According to the American Association of University Women (AAUW) website, “AAUW supports the strengthening and vigorous enforcement of Title IX and all other civil rights laws pertaining to education.”
In addition, the United States Postal Service issued a stamp in celebration of Title IX. The 37 words that changed everything remains a touchstone legislation for the civil rights of women that demands we keep vigilant in maintaining the progress made and look to the future for a more equitable playing field for all.
See more information on Title IX. This site includes information on the history, attacks on the Title IX and what can be done.
Candace Parker was the executive producer of Title IX: 37 Words That Changed America.” View the trailer.