Schakowsky Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Title IX
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chairwoman of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement reflecting on the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX:
"Fifty years ago, the world looked quite a bit different than it does now. Women accounted for less than 10% of all medical and law school graduates, fewer than 4% of girls played high school sports, and only about 3% of Congress identified as female. When President Nixon signed Title IX into law, the lives of young girls and women were forever changed. Sex-based discrimination at all federally funded educational institutions was forbidden, allowing women and girls to dream bigger than we ever had before.
"Title IX would not have been possible without Patsy Mink, a mentor of mine and a true advocate for so many who had no voice. Patsy was the first woman of color ever elected to Congress. Her road to Congress was not easy. Early on in life, she had to give up her dream of becoming a doctor because she was rejected from more than a dozen medical schools since she was a woman. She then faced similar discrimination when she decided to practice law. This led Patsy to a political life devoted to change and equity.
"As I look back on the 50 years since Title IX was enacted, I am proud of how far we as a country have come, and all of us recognize that there is still more work to be done. I am grateful to President Biden for his commitment to ensure that all students, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, deserve to be protected and to pursue their dreams. Trailblazers like Patsy Mink have laid the groundwork, now it is up to us to continue the fight. We will not stop until students are protected from all forms of sex discrimination, including discrimination based on sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity. I want every student out there to know that you can do whatever you put your mind to. Do not be discouraged. Your voice matters. You matter. And you belong at the table."
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