National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Fair and Square!
Title IX was enacted in 1971, banning gender and sex discrimination by any
institution receiving federal funds. Since then, access and equity for girls
in sports have improved, yet inequities continue to exist. Today, we celebrate
the 19th Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day,
Each year, we pay tribute to the advances made, encourage more participation
by girls, and raise awareness to the discrepancies that continue to appear in
school athletics. Elementary, secondary and postsecondary girls and women athletics
departments and the athletes who are members continue to receive unequal treatment,
in terms of athletic opportunities, equipment and gear, as well as with facilities.
Although the proportion of girls and women enrolled in high school athletic
programs rose from 1 in 27 in 1971 to 1 in 3 presently, girls and women are
not faring well compared to their male counterparts. According to the American
Association of University Women (AAUW), financial and academic opportunities
directly relating to sports are disproportionately allocated. “Although
55 percent of all college students are women, female athletes still receive
only 42 percent of all college athletic participation opportunities. While more
female athletes are getting a college education because of yearly athletic scholarships,
they receive $137 million (28 percent) less in athletic scholarships than do
male athletes.” Therefore access to elementary and secondary athletics
and successful participation greatly impacts postsecondary outcomes.
There are lots of ways schools can celebrate and dedicate the day to female
athletes!
- Female athletes can wear their athletic uniforms to school.
- School paper can spotlight female athletes.
- Art classes can create posters.
- English classes can research or interview present and past female athletes and create biographies.
Go out into your school and your community … spread the word! Help bring equity and quality to the live of young females!
- NOW Legal Defense And Education Fund, The Mid-Atlantic Center Of The Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium, Inc., And The Network, Inc. Present, "An Annotated Summary Of The Regulation For Title IX, Education Amendments Of 1972"
- American Association of University Women (AAUW), "AAUW Celebrates National Women and Girls in Sports Day, 'Focus on Enforcement and Improvements'"
- AAUW's St. Lawrence County Branch presents The History of Women in Sports Timeline
- National Women's History Project presented in its February 2004 newsletter
ideas and support for celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day in
your community! Last year's theme was "Play
Fair!" Although the newsletters are a year old, they present great
ideas and resources too.
January: 2004
February: 2004
Page Updated: February 09, 2005
