In case you don’t have it on your calendar – Wednesday February 6, 2008 is the 22nd Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day. It is a day that honors achievements and encourages participation in sports by women and girls.
Over the past 35 years, opportunities for female athletes have greatly expanded due in large part to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title IX, as it is commonly known, is the federal legislation that prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs that receive federal funding.
Since Title IX was passed in 1972, there have been many attempts to weaken the legislation, and narrow its coverage. In 2003, another attempt to weaken coverage of athletic programs covered by Title IX was made. That spring, there were several events in Washington, DC to protest the proposed changes and to highlight the negative impact they would have on girls in sports.
Here are a few photos I took that spring – they show not only the strong support for Title IX among women of all ages, but also a reminder of just whose rights and opportunities we are fighting for.
From a rally in front of the hotel where the Title IX Commission was meeting on January 29, 2003
(c) 2003 Patty Hankins
(c) 2003 Patty Hankins
From a hearing on Title IX at the Capitol
Panel of Members of Congress including Rep. McCarthy, Leader Pelosi, Rep. Kildee and Rep. Slaughter
(c) 2003 Patty Hankins
Panelists testifying included Olympic Gold Medal Winning Gymnast Dominique Dawes
(c) 2003 Patty Hankins
Olympic Gold Medal Winning Soccer Player and Player for the Washington Freedom Soccer Team Mia Hamm
(c) 2003 Patty Hankins
(c) 2003 Patty Hankins
And from a press conference on July 11 on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol – a reminder who benefits from Title IX and increased opportunities for women and girls in sports.
(c) 2003 Patty Hankins
(c) 2003 Patty Hankins
(c) 2003 Patty Hankins
(c) 2003 Patty Hankins
We hope you’ll take a few minutes on February 6 to encourage young women to participate in sports. If you are looking for more ways to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day, the National Association for Girls & Women in Sports has some suggestions for action.