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Author: Lisa Nash

Although famous for its significant and positive impact on the expansion of opportunities for girls and women in sport, Title IX is about far more than athletics. At its core, Title IX is a piece of legislation that embodies a broader commitment to fairness and equality. It is a formal recognition of the importance and inherent value of gender equality. It legitimizes and institutionalizes practices that promote parity across gender lines and in every facet of the American educational system.

The underlying presumption that higher education was the sphere of men permeated America’s educational system in the years before the passage of Title IX. This sentiment was reflected in the number of women receiving advanced degrees in the years leading up to the Title IX implementation deadline of July 21, 1978, for colleges and universities. In 1976-77, the percentage of doctoral degrees conferred on women was 24%,[1] for professional degrees (including law degrees) the percentage was only 19%.[2] By 2008-09, those percentages had risen to 52% and 49% respectively.

It is hard to deny that equal access to education is a fundamental tenet of American society. In 2011, it seems archaic to suggest that our sons have a greater right of access to education than our daughters. We fully understand the importance of equipping both men and women with the tools and knowledge they need to grow a successful career and achieve economic stability. Data from the 2000 Census indicated that over the course of a working lifetime the earning potential of a person with a professional/doctorate degree is over three and a half times that of a high school graduate and over twice as great as a someone with only a bachelor’s degree.[3]

As we reflect on the 39 years that have passed since the enactment of Title IX, it is important to celebrate the thousands of athletics opportunities that it has created for women. Undoubtedly, young women in this country are reaping the benefits of access to athletics, including higher self-esteem, better health and learning vital life skills like teamwork and perseverance. But, it is also important to more broadly recognize the positive impact that Title IX has had on the overall educational opportunities and subsequent economic security of all women. It is a landmark piece of legislation that has helped create myriad opportunities for millions of American women.

In celebration of the June 23 anniversary, we ask you to share how Title IX has positively impacted you as an athlete and/or administrator by commenting below (you may have to log in to post a comment). All users who share comments will be entered into our June giveaway for $50 in gift cards to iTunes, NIKE or Starbucks. Thank you!

[1]U.S Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics: Doctor's Degrees Conferred by Degree granting Institutions, by Race/ethnicity and Sex of Student: Selected Years, 1976-77 through 2008-09, Sept. 2010 .

[2]U.S Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics: First-professional degrees conferred by degree-granting institutions, by race/ethnicity and sex of student: Selected years, 1976-77 through 2008-09, Sept. 2010 .

[3]"Amount of Schooling Affects Earning Potential," USA Today 18 July 2002 http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/2002-07-18-degree-dollars.htm.

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