When the U.S. women’s national hockey team won its standoff with USA Hockey, coming to a deal in their quest for more equity in pay and more support for the women’s national program, I couldn’t help but remember that it wasn’t that long ago when this type of activity would have been unheard of.
Professional sports obviously are separate from what happens in the nation’s schools. Yet the gradual—and still ultimately unrealized—movement toward equity in sports wouldn’t have been possible without Title IX.
Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 is a short and simple federal law: “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 educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Which would apply to any public school at any level, and most private ones, too.
It was a long time coming, and the goal of equity in women’s sports (or anywhere!) is still elusive. But don’t forget that tennis champion Billie Jean King, who did so much for women’s sports when she beat Bobby Riggs in 1973, also was instrumental in fighting for equal prize money. That initial women’s tennis tour was sponsored by tobacco giant Philip Morris, and the Virginia Slims Tour pushed a cigarette marketed toward women with the catchphrase, “You’ve come a long way, baby.”
Just like women athletes.
from Daily Kos http://ift.tt/2nwDsHJ
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