V is for Victory. So is IX.The “V is for Victory. So is IX.” campaign educates the public about the need for fair treatment in athletics and about the importance of the
federal Title IX law in promoting fairness. The multifaceted campaign includes free educational workshops, an interactive website, publications, and prop
osed legislation.
On Thursday, January 8, the ACLU of Washington and the Women's Sports Foundation held a press conference in Seattle to kick off the campaign. Present at the event were Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Rep. Christine Rolfes, who are sponsoring legislation to ensure equal treatment for male and female athletes in government-funded community recreation programs. Announced were the coalition's plan to offer free Title IX “Tying the Score” workshops for athletes, coaches, school administrators, and parents throughout Washington. The workshops aim to improve awareness, identify concerns, and provide simple and cost-effective solutions to inequities in school sports.
On Saturday, January 10, the California Women's Law Center and the Women's Sports Foundation partnered to announce the V is for Victory. So is IX. campaign in California. The event, held at Miguel Contreras Learning Center, was attended by Women's Sports Foundation trustee and Super Middle-Weight boxing champion Laila Ali, a long-time activist
and supporter of women's sports. Ali put her pitching skills to the test as she played a softball game against Miguel Contreras students as a kick-off to V is for Victory in California. The California campaign, not unlike the campaign in Washington, will include free workshops to raise awareness of Title IX while educating athletes, parents, coaches and administrators on the role of the legislature.
On Monday, January 26, Philadelphia’s most recognizable “Football Mom”, Wilma McNabb, 
a long time youth sports advocate as well as Executive Director, Donovan McNabb Foundation and President, Professional Football Players Mothers’ Association helped level the playing field for girls in Pennsylvania. Wilma McNabb joined the Women’s Sports Foundation, the Women’s Law Project, the City of Philadelphia and women’s sports pioneers like Carol Bower, 1984 U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist, Rowing, and Lurline Jones, coaching legend at University City High to celebrate the kick-off of “V Is for Victory. So is IX." campaign in Pennsylvania. As in the campaign states of Washington and California, the greater Philadelphia area will also have access to free educational workshops provided by the Women’s Sports Foundation.
Billie Jean King to receive NCAA's Gerald R. Ford Award
Billie Jean King, tennis great and champion for social change and equality, is the recipient of this year‟s NCAA President‟s Gerald R. Ford Award.
The award, named in recognition of the late President Gerald Ford, honors individuals who have provided significant leadership as an advocate for higher education and intercollegiate athletics on a continuous basis over the course of his or her career.
NCAA President Myles Brand will present the award to King at the opening business session of the 2009 NCAA Convention on Thursday, January 15, in Washington, D.C. In honor of King, the NCAA will donate an honorarium to the institution of her choice for the benefit of student-athletes.
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