Title IX altered sports landscape
This is the first in a series of articles commemorating the 50th anniversary of Title IX.
Thirty-seven words.
“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.”
Rep. Patsy Mink of Hawaii introduced this bit of legislation to Congress in 1972. On June 23 of that year, President Richard Nixon signed it into law — and Title IX of the Civil Rights act was born.
When Mink died in 2002, Title IX was reworded as “The Patsy Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act.” Its impact is still being felt today, 50 years later.
“Women’s sports have come a long way, but there’s still a long way to go,” Seneca Valley girls basketball coach Dorothea Epps said. “But, thankfully, there are a lot more opportunities for girls in sports now.
A portion of this story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. Subscribers can read the full story at the link below. To support our local, independent newsroom, please subscribe at butlereagle.com.
