Title IX Turns 50

Title IX has become half a century old. Part of the Education Amendments of 1972, it was not specifically created for sports. It was a federal civil rights law designed to address sex discrimination in education and various school programs. Schools can lose federal funding if they do not comply with the law. Title IX was the creation of Pasty T. Mink, Edith Green, and Birch Bayh. The reason the law had such an impact on women’s sports was because this was neglected in US educational institutions. Since 1972, women and girls participation in sports dramatically increased. Many of those girls from the 1970s onwards would become professional athletes. Others would go on to compete in the Olympics. Challenges still remain. The law might now be benefitting every girl and woman along race and class lines. Another issue is the discrimination of women in the LGBTQ community. While backlash and sexism remains present, women have greater opportunities than before. Coaching and athletic careers are open to women. Title IX might need expansion to address current challenges related to sex discrimination.