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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 2, 2012
As we celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day today, we reflect on the extraordinary contributions of girls and women in sports throughout the history of America. The theme of this year's observance, "Title IX at 40: In it for the Long Run,' is especially significant because nearly four decades ago, Congress enacted a law that prohibits gender discrimination in any educational program or activity that receives federal financial aid, including athletics.
The passage of Title IX was an extraordinary milestone of the civil rights movement and I am honored to work alongside one of the most prolific champions of gender equality—tennis legend and Women's Sports Foundation founder Billie Jean King—who serves on the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition today.
Overall participation in high school sports increased for the 22nd consecutive school year in 2010-11, according to the annual High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the National Federation of State High School Associations. High school sports participation figures also reached respective all-time highs with approximately 4.5 million boys and 3.2 million girls in 2010-11. Since 1972, female participation in high school sports has increased by more than 900%.
Yet despite the many important advancements spurred by Title IX, America still has a long way to go to before female athletes compete at a level playing field. Today only 1 in 3 high school girls play sports, compared to about half of all boys. Unequal access, financial assistance and treatment for girls and women in sports still exist in too many communities across America, and these disparities are often more prevalent among minority and underserved populations, including people with disabilities.
Gender equity in sports remains an important goal that we must all work together to achieve, because the health of our nation depends on it.
Background of National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD):
NGWSD began in 1987 as a day to remember Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman for her athletic achievements and her work to assure equality for women's sports. Hyman died of Marfan's Syndrome in 1986 while competing in a volleyball tournament in Japan. Since that time, NGWSD has evolved into a day to acknowledge the past and recognize current sports achievements, the positive influence of sports participation, and the continuing struggle for equality and access for women in sports.
NGWSD is jointly organized by the National Girls and Women in Sport Coalition. The Coalition combines the experience and resources of the five premier organizations serving girls and women in the United States: Girl Scouts of the USA, Girls Incorporated, the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport, the National Women's Law Center, and the Women's Sports Foundation. Collectively, these organizations have been in existence for over 427 years and have a membership reach of 5.5 million girls and women.
Background of Title IX:
On June 23, 1972, Congress enacted the Education Amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965. Title IX states in part: '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.'
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