Girls Playing Football and Breaking World Records: Title IX Turns 41

Happy 41st birthday, Title IX! Title IX, the federal law banning discrimination based on sex in federally-funded educational programs, turned 41 this past Sunday, June 23. Around this time last year, we were gearing up for the 2012 Olympics, widely hailed as the “Title IX Olympics” for the success of women athletes. Yet, the stories about girls and sports in the news this week show us how much more work needs to be done before the promise of Title IX can be fully realized. 

Last week, Abby Wambach — a member of the 2012 Olympic Gold-winning American women’s soccer team — scored her 160th international goal in a game against South Korea. In breaking Mia Hamm's previous record of 159 career international goals, Wambach became the world leader, for both men and women, in international goals. One might expect such an achievement to be splashed across the sports headlines of major newspapers, right? Wrong. Her story has been relegated to secondary status, when it has been covered at all. I was lucky to watch an ESPN documentary about Abby’s career, and her commitment to women’s professional soccer opportunities in the U.S. is remarkable. Even if major newspapers aren’t #chasingabby, I’ve been inspired to follow her career more closely. 

Next up to bat: Madison Baxter of Georgia. Madison, 12, has been playing football for years as a starting defensive tackle. She was looking forward to going out for the team when she enters the seventh grade next year, but her school told her that she would no longer be allowed on the team, because her male teammates “would begin lusting after her.” Madison had a separate locker room and changing facility, but the school’s decision has cut short her dream of becoming one of the first college-level female football players. She is fighting back via a Facebook page, “Let Her Play.” 

Of course, while these examples are disappointing to say the least, Title IX covers much more than sports. Earlier this week, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights released new guidance regarding pregnant and parenting students, and student-advocates across the country are holding their schools accountable for their failing to respond to sexual harassment and assault via the Know Your IX campaign.

In an interview Wambach recorded about Title IX, she says that in her opinion, the fact that young athletes don’t know about Title IX is great — younger generations of girls feel entitled to play sports and know they belong. This is wonderful — but, given the challenges faced by women and girls in education, the 41st birthday of Title IX is a time to reflect on the work that is ahead. 

Read more about the work ahead for Title IX in our fact sheets released for the 40th anniversary: 

The Next Generation of Title IX: Athletics 
The Next Generation of Title IX: Harassment and Bullying Based on Sex 
The Next Generation of Title IX: STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math 
The Next Generation of Title IX: Pregnant and Parenting Students