ESPN Launches Title IX Series and Reminds Us that We Still Have a Long Way to Go

Yesterday ESPN aired the first of nine films celebrating Title IX in its “Nine for IX” series. The first one, “Venus Vs.,” is about Venus Williams’ fight for equal pay for women at Wimbledon. While it is a triumphant story in many ways, I couldn’t help but be struck (and frustrated), as I always am, at the slow pace of progress.

The fight for equal pay at Wimbledon, much like the fight for equal pay for women in general, has been going on for decades. In tennis, Billie Jean King started the effort that Venus helped bring to fruition.

Similarly, on the playing fields of our nation’s schools, the battle for gender equity rages on. Over forty years after Title IX was passed, girls are still not receiving equal chances to play or equal benefits when they do. Nationwide, girls receive 1.3 million fewer chances to play sports than do boys. Just last week, we filed a complaint against the District of Columbia Public Schools for failing to provide its female students with equal opportunities to reap the many benefits of playing sports — higher academic achievement, better health, greater self esteem, and life skills.

Venus’ story also reminds us of the double whammy that girls and women of color often face in terms of racial and gender stereotypes. Given that girls of color are often even more underserved when it comes to sports, it is vital that schools provide them with a fair shot to play and address any barriers to participation.

Here’s hoping the pace of progress picks up.