Amy Tannenbaum, Program Assistant

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.

This week and next week, the Senate is debating S. 744, the comprehensive immigration reform bill. The current version of the bill includes provisions that are important for immigrant women, including protections survivors of domestic violence and for workers who report abuse, discrimination, or wage law violations on the job. As the bill is debated, we urge Senators to protect these provisions, ensure that women have full access to the path to citizenship, and to guard against amendments that harm women and families.

In a letter to the Senate, sent out this morning, we urge Senators to be guided by the following principles as they consider comprehensive immigration reform:

• Ensure that immigrant women have fair access to the path to citizenship and to green cards.
• Protect against employer exploitation of immigrants.
• Ensure work authorization for spouses.
• Make affordable health care available to lawfully present immigrants.