How Title IX came into existence
Imagine a world without Serena, Venus Williams, Lindsey Vonn, Sue Bird, or Simone Biles. The landscape of sports would look vastly different.
However, thanks to 37 words tacked onto a bill in 1972, a world without women's sports isn't a reality.
“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.”
On June 23, 1972, those 37 words were signed into law by then-President Richard Nixon and named Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 to the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Title IX prohibited gender-based discrimination in educational programs receiving federal financial assistance. It is sometimes referred to as the “The Pursuit of Equal Play” because of the impact it has had on athletics.
Title IX requires institutions receiving government funding to provide all equal opportunities in academics and athletics.
“Title IX protects everyone,” said Mary Ann Martinez, executive director of civil rights & institution equity at Central Michigan University. "It creates equal opportunities. Providing equal access to women in sports and scholarships increases the diversity of student-athletes.”
Title IX increased the participation of girls in athletics because there was now a law that provided the opportunity for women to play sports at all levels.
One such woman was former Central Michigan field hockey head coach Christy Freese.
"For me to get into organized athletics was really exciting," Freese said. "But again, I wasn't able to do that, until I was a freshman in high school. Whereas nowadays, you know, that's happening for young girls, as it did young boys."
By removing barriers for women, Title IX made it easier for women to not only be involved in sports, but thrive in, and make a career out of them.
“It has given the opportunity for women to diversify their activity and education level,” Martinez said. “Title IX requires that universities offer an equitable number of sports to play, which might mean adding an additional men’s or women’s team to make sure there is opportunity. And not 90 percent male and 10 percent female or 10 percent male and 90 percent female.”
Title IX remains the only law that provides equality in athletics.
