Title IX Celebrating 40 years

Title IX is a portion of the Education Amendments of 1972. This legislation is also identified by the name of its principal author as the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act. It states (in part) that "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 education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance..."  Wikipedia

This important piece of legislation prohibited gender-based discrimination in federally funded educational programs.  The far reaching effects of this statute have provided so many opportunities for students, in particular equal funding opportunities for women athletes.  While hard to have imagined forty years ago, recipients of Title IX range from the outstanding athletic programs in our own community to the superior results of the UConn Women's Basketball program.

Olympic hopeful Janet Evans is vying for a place on the US Olympic Team after receiving 3 gold medals in Seoul in 1988 and competing in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics.  Its interesting that Janet is also celebrating her 40 birthday.  Title IX was in place the year she was born.  Who knows the impact this statute had on her life.

While Title IX was federal legislation, as your State Representative I would hope to work with our State Legislature on meaningful, non-partisan legislation that would continue to promote opportunity and equality here in Connecticut. Happy Birthday, Title IX.  You are a great role model.