The Significance of Title IX

Pioneers of Title IX and Historic Moments in Women’s Sports

By Charles Nyonga

This page was last modified May 16, 2020.

  • Catherine Allen – Pioneer

    1909-2000

    Catherine Allen in the South Paciifc in 1944.
    Photo Source Northeastern University University Library.

    Allen served 53 years in physical education and in 1964, Allen was elected as president of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (AAHPER). During her time, Allen wanted to provide the most possible activities for the largest number of people. Allen for challenged fore equality for women in physical education and athletics. Allen, through the avenue of athletics, wanted her students to develop dexterity through spotlighting recreational programs.

    Source: Playing for Equality: Oral Histories of Women Leaders in the Early Years of Title IX.

  • Celeste Ulrich – Pioneer

    1924-2011

    Celeste Ulrich.
    Photo Source: Alchetron

    When Title IX was implemented, Ulrich’ was an assistant professor of physical education at the University at Greensboro. time saw the merging of men’s and women’s athletic departments. Ulrich was spent her career fighting the stereotypes of women in sports.

    Source: Playing for Equality: Oral Histories of Women Leaders in the Early Years of Title IX.

  • The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL)

    1943-1954

    Thr Grand Rapids Chicks of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
    Photo Source: Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center.

    The first professional women’s sports league that rose up during World War II. As many of the men were away at war, many women took over in the workplace and in sports. The 1992 film A League of Their Own was loosely based on the league.

    Source: https://www.aagpbl.org/

  • Doris Corbett – Pioneer

    Doris Colbert interview with Panthers Sports Talk, November 29, 2012.
    Video Source: The University of Northern Iowa YouTube page.

    1945-

    In 1972, Corbett began her career at Howard University on the faculty and was an administrator and athletic coach. Corbett earned her Ph.D in Sociology of Sports from the University of Maryland College Park in 1974. Corbett, growing up in the segregated south in the 1950s, she used athletics as a vessel to promote equality for women.

    Source: Playing for Equality: Oral Histories of Women Leaders in the Early Years of Title IX.

  • Nixon Signs Title IX into law.

    President Richard Nixon signs Title IX into law June 23, 1972.
    Photo Source: @RetroNewsNow

    President Richard Nixon signs into law Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972. “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any education program or activities receiving Federal financial assistance.”

    Source: http://www.nixonfoundation.org.

  • Battle of the Sexes

    Battle of the Sexes staring Steve Carrell and Emma Stone: released 2017.
    Photo source: The Guardian

    September 30, 1973

    Broadcasted live to 50 million people in the United States, and 90 million globally, the 29-year-old Billie Jean King defeated 55-year-old Bobby Riggs at the Houston Astrodome in straight sets 6-4,6-3,6-3. King took home a $100,000 purse which led to the boom of women’s sports.

    Source: Billie Jean King.com

  • The NCAA becomes the governing body of women’s college basketball

    1982

    NCAA Logo
    Photo Source: NCAA.org.

    The women’s college basketball tournament was under the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) from 1971-1982. After Title IX and the merging of women’s and men’s athletic departments, the AIAW ceased operations and the NCAA took over as the managing organization for women’s college athletics.

    Source: http://www.ncaa.org.

  • First NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship

    1982

    Jennifer White and Debra Rodman celebrate as the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters won the 1982 NCAA Women Basketball Championship.
    Photo Source: George Tiedemann /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images/Getty Images)

    Louisiana Tech defeated Cheyney State 76-62 at the Scope in Norfolk, Va. Louisiana Tech finished 35-1. The team did not receive its trophy until 2017. This team is the responsible for bringing women’s college basketball to prominence. During the decade of the 1980s, averaged 32 wins per season, a 92 percent winning percentage. The Lady Techsters were the precursor to the UConn dynasty to follow. During Louisiana Tech’s run, they had a 54-game winning streak and is the only team to win the NCAA championship and the now defunct Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW).

    Source: http://www.ncaa.com.

  • The UConn Dynasty

    1989-2016

    The trio of Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson, and Morgan Tuck celebrate helping UConn win its fourth consecutive championship, April 5, 2016. This title was UConn’s 11th overall.

    Under Head Coach Geno Auriemma, the University of Connecticut Huskies women’s basketball team has put on a level of dominance only comparable to the UCLA Bruins under John Wooden. Beginning in 1989 with its first NCAA Tournament appearance, UConn has collected 11 National Champions.In UConn’s dominant run, the program owns the two longest winning streaks in Division I basketball with 111 from 2016-2018 and from 2009-2001.

    Source: http://www.ncaa.com.

  • The WNBA was approved by the NBA Board of Governors.

    April 22, 1996

    WNBA – We Got Next

    The WNBA began with eight teams in 1997, the Los Angeles Sparks, the Charlotte Sting, the Houston Comets, Sacramento, the New York Liberty, the Phoenix Mercury and the Utah Starzz. Currently the WNBA has 12 teams with four of its original teams in tact.

    Source: http://www.ncaa.org.

  • The WNBA Opens

    June 21, 1997

    The first WNBA game between the New York Liberty and the Los Angeles Sparks at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, Ca.
    Video Source: WNBA YouTube Page

    The two flagship franchises kicked off the brand new WNBA season as the New York Liberty defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 67-56, led by former UConn star Rebecca Lobo with 16 points. The Sparks star Lisa Leslie scores 19 points in the loss.

    Source: http://www.wnba.com.

  • Women Main Event Wrestlemania

    April 7, 2019

    Promotional package for the first ever women’s main event between Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Ronda Rousey at Wrestlemania 36.
    Video Source: WWE YouTube page

    Over 80,000 were in attendance at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ to witness history as Royal Rumble winner Becky Lynch challenged both Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey and Smackdown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair placed their titles in a winner-take-all main event at Wrestlemania 35. This is a result of the “Women’s Evolution,” as the level of women athletes that are now professional wrestlers has increased exponentially.

    Source: http://www.wwe.com.

  • The 2020 WNBA Draft

    April 17, 2020

    Oregon guard Sabrina Ionescu was the first overall selection by the New York Liberty in the 2020 WNBA Draft.
    Photo Source: https://www.wnba.com/draft2020/

    The 2020 WNBA Draft preceeded the NFL Draft as it was the first American sports league to perform its amatuer draft remotely. Unanimous Player of the Year, Oregon guard Sabrina Ionescu was the first overall pick by the New York Liberty. Ionescu, the all-time leader in triple doubles, is also the only player ever in NCAA history to score more than 2000 points, 1000 rebounds and 1000 assists.

    Source: http://www.wnba.com.

  • The 2020 WNBA Draft

    April 18, 2020

    Kaila Charles is the first Maryland player drafted to the WNBA in three years.
    Photo Source: Julia Nikhinson/The Diamondback

    Maryland star Kaila Charles selected 23rd in the second round by the Connecticut Sun in the 2020 WNBA Draft. Charles is 6th in Maryland history in points scored (1984).

    Source: http://www.umterps.com.

What is Title IX?

Its Origins

Title IX became one of a string of civil rights bills passed into law, following The Civil Rights Act of 1964, outlawing the discrimination of anyone based on their race, color, religion, ethnicity, sex, or nationality. Women’s sports progress since the 48 years Title IX became law, we see milestone created and then surpassed.

The bill was proposed by Senator Birch Bayh (D-Ind) and Congresswoman Edith Green (D-Ore), during the 92nd Congressional Session (January 3, 1971 – January 3, 1972). The bill received committee consideration by the House Subcommittee on Higher Education.

Legislative Process

  • Bayh proposed the bill to the Senate February 28, 1972.
  • To a vote of 88-6, the bill passes the Senate on March 1, 1972.
  • To a vote of 275-125, the bill passes in the House of Representatives May 11, 1972.
  • To a vote of 63-15 the bill passes the Senate on May 24, 1972 during a joint conference committee
  • To a vote of 218-180 on June 8, 1972 the bill passes the House during a joint conference committee.
  • On June 23, 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is signed into law by President Richard Nixon.

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