AAUW Celebrates 36th Anniversary of Title IX
Pushes for Legislation to Strengthen Law’s Protections
WASHINGTON – As the nation marks the 36th anniversary of Title IX, AAUW remains committed to strengthening the landmark legislation despite ongoing efforts aimed at weakening it. Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities, and it has been opening doors for women and girls since it was signed into law by President Nixon on June 23, 1972.
“The 2008 Olympics will once again showcase the impact of Title IX, as incredible female athletes compete at the highest level,” said AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman, CAE. “Although many of these women grew up with sports opportunities their mothers couldn’t have imagined, there is still more work to be done.”
Two bills, the High School Athletics Accountability Act (H.R. 901) and the High School Information Collection Act (S. 518), would do just that. These bills would make participation rates and expenditures for high school athletes available to the public, helping communities better enforce Title IX.
“Having access to this data is a first step toward improving Title IX athletic compliance at the high school level. It will give even more girls a fair chance to play,” said Lisa Maatz, AAUW director of public policy and government relations. “This information should be easily available to the public; it would shed a light on where schools are doing well and where they need improvement.”
More information at www.aauw.org