The enacting of Title IX on June 23, 1972, opened countless doors for women in athletics and brought to America's attention the idea that sports should be a place where all girls and women can realize their potential. Without Title IX, there would be no equal prize money, no Olympic gold for the U.S. softball team, none of those unforgettable happenings in women's sports.
Watch as seven champion athletes and undeniable Title IX beneficiaries celebrate the historic legislation's 37th anniversary.
And take a a look at how far we have come since...
Then….. One in 27 girls participated in high school varsity sports
Now…… 1 in 2.5 are playing
Then…. 300,000 young women participated in interscholastic athletics
Now….. There are presently more than 3 million female scholastic athletes
Then… Women participated in only 13 of the 24 events of the 1984 Olympic Games
Now…. In Beijing in 2008, female athletes competed in 28 of the 32 Olympic events
Then…. Title IX was the only legislation pertaining to the involvement of girls in sports
Now…. As of October 2006, 34 states have additional legislation that involves minimum requirements for school physical education programs
Then…. Female professional athletes received far less prize money compared to their male counterparts
Now… At Wimbledon in 2007 and the Winter X Games in 2009, identical purses were given to both men and women winners.
View a countdown of 35 of the most memorable moments in women's sports history.