By Lindsay Hock
Published: June 23, 2009
On Tuesday, June 23, 2009, the White House hosted a roundtable to celebrate the 37th anniversary of Title IX and discuss the past, present and future of the historic legislation. It was the first event of its kind since the legislation was enacted in 1972.
The discussion, facilitated by Obama Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett and Education Secretary Arne Duncan, was also attended by Foundation founder Billie Jean King, first Foundation President Donna de Varona, former Foundation President Dominique Dawes, current President Jessica Mendoza, Foundation Government Liaison and former Trustee Lillian Greene-Chamberlain, Ph.D., and CEO Karen Durkin. Former Indiana Senator Birch Bayh, considered the “Father of Title IX” because of his close involvement with the bill, was in attendance to show his support of 37 and many more years of progress. Additionally, 30 local high-school girls, the existing face of Title IX, were present in the audience and were asked to pose questions and share their experiences with the panel.
“Today marks a new beginning,” said King, who in founding the Women’s Sports Foundation has led the charge for equal access to opportunity and participation in sports. “Obama and his administration are giving us an opportunity like we have never had. Let’s take advantage of it.”
Mendoza, although born several years after the passing of Title IX, is an undeniable beneficiary of the law. “Title IX gave me the feeling that I was more than just a girl who happened to be good at sports. I am an athlete because of it,” she said.
Dawes voiced her concern for the media’s messaging to young girls and women regarding their place in the realm of athletics. “The lack of coverage of female athletics in the media sends them a negative message that women are not important enough to follow or that they are not important enough to be role models,” she said.
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Dawes, Mendoza, Jarrett, King,
de Varona and Greene-Chamberlain |
Athletic opportunities for girls and women were not the only issues discussed by the panel. Because Title IX extends to any program or activity that receives federal financial assistance, school math, science and engineering programs are also encompassed by the law. Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Department of Education, and Dr. Joyce Winterton, Assistant Administrator for Education at NASA, voiced their concerns in regards to the discrepancy between the number of males and females receiving graduate and post-graduate degrees in “traditionally male” fields of study.
The overall sentiment of the panel was that yes, much progress has been made. In 1972, one in 27 girls participated in high school varsity sports. Now, one in 2.5 are playing. But, there are still 1.3 million fewer girls involved in sports than boys. Title IX, as Dawes said, “is not a suggestion. It is a law.” The Women’s Sports Foundation will continue to work to level the playing field and provide equal play to girls and women, young or old.
"Title IX represents a major advance not just for women, but for all Americans and for higher education," said Jarrett, who serves as chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls. "I'm especially proud of our efforts to encourage women to pursue their aspirations in fields in which they have been historically underrepresented such as science and technology. The Obama Administration is working closely with all government agencies to understand how we can elevate issues related to girls in this country. Title IX is integral to that effort and that is why it is so fitting now that any girl can be ready to discover our next cure to cancer, win the next triathlon or become President of the United States."
Watch: Title IX roundtable press conference featuring King, de Varona, Greene-Chamberlain, Dawes and Mendoza.
For a list of all panelists and attendees,
visit here.
In addition to the live webcast produced by the White House, the event included an innovative Facebook application that allowed users to both watch the live-stream and be part of an online chat about the roundtable simultaneously. Comments from the many followers reflected the feelings of the panel participants that much progress has been allowed for by the legislation, and also echoed the sentiment that there is still a way to go:
Joanna Lipari: When I was in college (’67-’71), I wanted to play sports...but there wasn’t much for me. Now my 12-year-old daughter, Micheline, cannot imagine not getting to play organized sports...real sports, not just pretend physical activity.
LeAnn Peartree: Equal opportunity for women/girls to participate in sports contributes to the general health and well-being overall, not to mention how participation gives at-risk girls opportunities to get off the streets.
Estelle J Streeter: We need to get girls to understand their potential.
Beth Weiss: Success in sports is good — but participation in sports is great and an important first step.
Wen Gao: I went to Bryn Mawr, an all women’s college, and was a math major there. I was surrounded by so many amazing and talented women both in student body and faculty. It helped me so much in discovering who I am and what I can become.
How far have we come since June 23, 1972? How much progress do we have left to make? Leave your comments below!