Signed into law on June 23, 1972, by President Richard Nixon, Title IX of the Civil Rights Act states, "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
Introduced to Congress by Representative Patsy Mink, the first Asian American woman to serve in Congress, Title IX continues to be one of the strongest deterrents of discrimination against women. Title IX significantly impacted women's participation in college athletics. Before the passing of Title IX, only 15% of college athletes were women compared to today, in which women account for 44% of all NCAA athletes. While there have been incredible strides in women's collegiate athletics, there remain many areas where growth is still needed. According to the 2020-2021 NCAA Race and Gender Demographics Database, only 14% of college athletes are women of color compared to 30% being white women. Additionally, male athletes have 60,000 more collegiate sport opportunities compared to women, and women athletes often have fewer scholarship dollars available to them at the collegiate level.
Kristen Mattio, UNC's Head Coach for Women’s Basketball shares, “Over the last 50 years, we have been fortunate to use “sports” as a rallying point to raise support and awareness for Title IX. However, Title IX was never meant to be just about sports. Nevertheless, the amount of change in women’s sports really has been transformational. Especially in women’s basketball. When I think of Title IX I think of the pursuit of equal “play and pay” more than anything for women. Helping young women navigate through this life to get what they deserve. That women’s’ sports aren’t thought of as 2nd class when it comes to watching sports and having resources to succeed. Although we have moved the needle quite a bit we are still working hard to not judge people by gender, but to just support women and girls in their love and passion for sports or whatever they may be pursuing in life. The more girls we include in sports, the more female head coaches we will begin to have which will ultimately lead to more female athletic directors and admin positions across the country. Women deserve a tremendous amount of respect no matter what they choose to play, study or become in life. This 50 year anniversary of Title IX reminds us that we are not done yet!”
Another area currently under attack in the country is Title IX rights for LGBTQ athletes, particularly transgender athletes, at both the high school and collegiate level. In March of this year, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights announced that it would propose a new regulation that would make discrimination against transgender students a federal law violation, a change to the Title IX Notice of Interpretation issued in 2021. The proposed regulation will encompass discrimination based on sex to sex stereotypes, sex-related characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Movement Advancement Project reports that 18 states have enacted laws banning transgender students from participating in sports based on their gender identity. Transgender-rights attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, Chase Strangio, states "This is not about sports; it's a way to attack trans people." Many states have preemptively proposed and/or enacted state laws, as many of those states have not encountered cases within their state at the time of a law passing.
UNCs Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC) is our very own campus resource that conducts investigations of complaints and connects students, faculty and staff with campus and community resources. The office staff reflects on their purpose and role on campus and offer us these words: "This week we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Title IX. Title IX’s 37 words changed the landscape of education in the United States, increasing access and equity for all students. Every student has the right to fully access the programs and activities on campus free from discrimination based on sex. This includes sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Title IX continues to be in the spotlight and undergo changes as the work of equity and inclusion continues. As we celebrate this anniversary, and continue our work at UNC, we ask that you remember that Title IX is for everyone and makes our campus stronger.”
Take Action:
- Women's Sport Foundation – 50 Years of Title IX: We're Not Done Yet
- Arapahoe Libraries Title IX Reading List
- Title IX aimed to get women into grad schools. Over 50 years, it shaped their role in sports.
- The Title IX Cheat Sheet: What's Changed and What’s Changing?
- View Spotlight Story: Northern Colorado Women's Soccer Great -Adrienne Jordan
- USPS Title IX Stamps
For additional education and personal development related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the following resources are available: DEI Education and Resources, DEI & Antiracism Resources from the UNC Libraries, the Education Equity Toolkit from the Colorado Department of Higher Education, and the UNITE workshops for faculty, staff, and students.
