I am pleased and proud to share that on Wednesday, February 1, all Middle and Upper School students gathered to recognize National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Organized by PE teacher and Sixth Grade advisor Gail Heady, this year’s event was especially meaningful as it was 40 years ago that Congress passed Title IX, a landmark civil rights law barring gender discrimination in education. While the law applies to every facet of education in schools that receive federal aid, it has become especially recognized for expanding athletic opportunities for women.
“Education is the most effective way of remedying discrimination. Thus, National Girls and Women in Sports Day is not just a day to celebrate the achievements of women in sports to the exclusion of the achievement of male athletes. It is a day where males and females focus on (1) the importance of remedying past discrimination against women in sports, (2) the benefits of sports participation for girls, and (3) addressing the myths that have kept both boys and girls from supporting girls’ sports participation.” Women’s Sports Foundation