Title IX Levels the Playing Field

Title IX Levels the Playing Field — page 1 — CHAPTER 1 CREATION OF TITLE IX The text of the landmark law is just 37 words Neither sports nor athletics are mentioned Yet no law has done so much to shift the landscape of sports for girls and women 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 education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance Passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972 Title IX has done more than merely increase opportunities for women in sports It has changed the culture to such an extent that the United States now boasts a wealth of female athletes sports journalists coaches and officials For pro athletes such as Serena Williams and Ronda Rousey and for Olympians such as Simone Biles and 4 Gymnast Simone Biles and other female athletes have benefitted from the passage of an important law in 1972

Title IX Levels the Playing Field — page 2

Title IX Levels the Playing Field — page 3 — Katie Ledecky 6 Bernice Sandler is considered the opportunity in sports Godmother of Title IX thanks wouldn't have been to her work fighting gender discrimination She worked possible without Title IX with Edith Green to document discrimination in education Before the passage of Title IX women faced extreme obstacles just to be allowed to compete There were outstanding female athletes before 1972 of course But the belief that women were not interested in sports was widespread Some even believed that competing could be physically harmful to women That began to change in the 1970s thanks in part to Edith Green a member of the US House of Representatives from Oregon Green introduced a bill that would work toward equity between men and women in higher education In hearings she described the discrimination women faced on a routine basis She argued that action was necessary for equality to be achieved Green's arguments were influential Indiana Senator Birch Bayh introduced Title IX as an amendment to an Congresswoman Edith Green walks the corridors of the Rayburn House Office Building in 1967

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