CITY OF PITTSBURGH & CITIPARKS CELEBRATE TITLE IX AT 50!
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHO:
Mayor Ed Gainey, Dr. Karen Hall, and panelists Donna Sanft, JoAnne Klimovich Harrop, and Monica Harrison.
WHAT:
Celebrating TITLE IX at 50! Including a panel discussion with attendees.
WHEN:
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
10 AM to Noon
WHERE:
Schenley Park Ice Rink—Banquet Room
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PITTSBURGH - On Wednesday, November 16, 2022 the City of Pittsburgh and CitiParks, along with Mayor Ed Gainey and Dr. Karen Hall (former UNLV WBB, Athletic Administrator, ESPN3 Color Analyst, & Author) will celebrate TITLE IX at 50. Join us for this panel discussion: Keeping the Momentum, Where Do We Go Now.
The panel Discussion will include Donna Sanft – University of Pittsburgh, retired Athletic Administrator; JoAnne Klimovich Harrop – Reporter, Trib Total Media; and Monica Harrison – Carnegie Mellon University, Assistant Athletic Director for DEI/Head Softball Coach.
There is a lot to celebrate in the first 50 years of TITLE IX, and there is still a long way to go to ensure equity for women.
In 1972, the US Department of Education introduced TITLE IX to protect from discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that received federal dollars. This federal funding is dependent on institutions being compliant with TITLE IX. This compliance is measured with a 3-prong test: 1) Proportionality—enrollment of males and females, 2) Program Expansion—to ensure equal opportunities for men and women, and 3) Accommodation of Athletic Interest—maxing out sports offerings for girls.
After TITLE IX went into effect on June 23, 1972, educational programs that received federal money had to demonstrate compliance with nondiscriminatory practices—and while the law was not created specifically to address inequality in athletics—coaches and athletes quickly realized its potential to create change in sports.
As we celebrate this 50 year milestone, it is important to remember the following about TITLE IX:
- It is not sports legislation, it is a US Department of Education Amendment
- We are getting closer to an equal playing field but we are not there yet
According to Dr. Hall, “After TITLE IX, the landmark law prohibiting sex-based discrimination, went into effect; it changed the lives of women, not just through sports, but in all aspects of life—socially, familially and politically. It empowered an entirely new generation in the work force!”
Echoing these sentiments, Mayor Ed Gainey agrees, “Pittsburgh needs to be safe, welcoming and thriving for all, and that means creating opportunities for girls and women! And while TITLE IX is not just about sports, youth sports provides opportunities in a plan for peace and violence interruption, and we must ensure these opportunities are there for all.”
Sports is a vehicle of empowerment, you learn authority and adversity, and it breeds confidence and TITLE IX empowers female athletes. We have seen increased TV time for women’s sports, the birth of new professional leagues, and finally seeing women moving into jobs that were once only male focused. There is more work to be done.
TITLE IX TRAILBLAZERS: Those who moved the markers forward in the pre and early years of TITLE IX.
TITLE IX BENEFICIARIES: Those who receive scholarships/recruitment for sports or academic programs that were previously not available.
TITLE IX NEXT GENERATION: Today and tomorrows coaches, positions of leadership, players and scholars moving forward to continue to break equality boundaries.
TITLE IX and its 50th Anniversary is important and effects everyone, not just collegiate athletes. We want attendees of our celebration to walk away, wanting to do more to ensure an equal playing field for all!
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