Do you know how it was before Title IX? These women do. In honor of the 30th anniversary of this milestone legislation, here's what top female athletes have to say about how Title IX has changed their lives:
"I have personally experienced the impact of Title IX over the past few years. Seeing little boys go from saying, 'girls can't play hockey' to 'hey, can we have your autographs?' It is truly amazing what one can achieve, if simply given the chance."
Alana Blahoski, member of the 1998 Olympic gold medal-winning ice hockey team
"I am lucky because Title IX was instated right after I was born - in other words, others fought for my right to play basketball in school before I could even hold a basketball. (The tough part for me was convincing my brothers I could play with them!) I am grateful I was able to not only play basketball, but also play volleyball and run track in high school, too. Having the funds available for a basketball scholarship was a great blessing for me, or else I wouldn't have been able to go to college."
Sheryl Swoopes, member of the WNBA champion Houston Comets, WNBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist
"Title IX gave and continues to give women opportunities to compete and learn from sport. Women who compete in sports have higher self-confidence in their personal lives and know how to work hard within a team framework. I was a shy child who gained so much self-confidence through sport. Sport helped me believe that I could achieve anything that I set my mind to."
Holly McPeak, two-time Olympic beach volleyball player
"Since I am 23 years old and Title IX is 30 years old, I don't know life without it. My life has revolved around sports since I was really little. I would go with my father to basketball games when I was 4 years old, and I haven't been able to stay away from sports since then. I have no idea what life would be like without sports, so I am very grateful for the women and the men who have fought for equality for women in the sports world."
Jackie Stiles, 2001 WNBA Rookie of the Year and NCAA career scoring leader.
"I have always felt the support of Title IX behind me. I never had to suffer from the frustrations that other women have had before me. I have read about their struggles, and I am shocked what they have gone through. I started diving when I was 3 years old and never had to fight for the right to participate in sports. I have felt empowered because of the confidence that sports has provided; so for that alone, I am grateful for Title IX. "
Wendy Williams, 1988 Olympic bronze medalist diver
"Because of Title IX, I am here."
Jackie Joyner-Kersee, five-time Olympic medalist; four-time consecutive Goodwill Games heptathlon winner (1986, 1990, 1994, 1998), the only women ever to do so.
"Title IX did a lot for me because I never felt the discrimination of not being able to play."
Meg Mallon, 1991 winner at the Oldsmobile LPGA Classic, Mazda LPGA Championship, the U.S. Women's Open and the Daikyo World Championships.
"Women are stepping up to the plate. The male-dominated world is opening up. There are professional opportunities for women in sports that didn't exist five years ago…Title IX is greatly responsible for this, and not enough can be said about the efforts of coaches and schools to accept women athletes and encourage their participation in athletics."
Aimee Mullins, the first double below-the-knee amputee to compete on an NCAA Division I track team, the only such athlete to compete at that level, and 1996 Paralympian
"My participation in sports has changed my life, and now I'm keen to encourage other women and girls. I hope to be an activist for women's sports."
Geena Davis, No. 13 ranked U.S. archer
"I still remember going to billiard tournaments where the men's division played on the newer big tables with nice cloth and the women's division had to play in the back on old bar tables and the excuse was that the women's field isn't as large and people don't want to see them play as much. I felt angry and helpless. With Title IX and the Women's Sports Foundation, I no longer feel helpless. I feel the pride, strength and support I need to make sure this doesn't happen anymore and continue in the fight to share the vision of level playing field for our women and girls."
Jeanette Lee, professional billiards player and member of the Board of Trustees of the Women's Sports Foundation.
"The success of the women's national team and the women's pro league is immensely attributed to Title IX."
Saskia Webber, member of the 1999 women's soccer World Cup championship team.
"The law has been a force helping all women gain athletic opportunities over the past 30 years. We need to pull together as a team to achieve gender equity, and Title IX is one part of that effort. "
Nancy Hogshead-Makar, three-time Olympic gold medalist, winner of more medals than any other swimmer in the 1984 Olympic Games with three gold and one silver
"When a world-record 78,972 spectators showed for the Opening Day of the Women's World Cup soccer tournament at Giants Stadium, no one could deny the appetite for women's sport. There has been a cultural shift in the American sporting landscape. Thanks to Title IX, the dedicated pioneers behind the women's sports movement and a wonderful dedicated American team, the sound, the look and a fresh new appeal of sport at its most exuberant has arrived."
Donna de Varona, two-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer
"It all fell in place. I don't know where I would be, or in all sincerity where this country would be, if it were not for Title IX."
Robin Roberts, ESPN commentator and stand-out basketball player as Southern Louisiana University's third all-time leading scorer.
"Title IX has changed the plane of women's sports in college. I am definitely receiving the benefits of it now. I'm young enough that I didn't have to experience the strife that the pioneers did. I feel so lucky and so grateful to know that so many people worked hard to have that law passed. There is still a lot more to be done."
Angela Ruggiero, two-time Olympic medalist ice hockey player