According to Kimberlee Bassford, a filmmaker who directed Patsy Mink:Ahead of the Majority, Patsy's intent was to open up education to women though many think that Title IX relates primarily to athletics.
Billie Jean King, a pro tennis player
"The 37 words that made up one of the most important pieces of legislation in the 20th century: Title IX, the landmark legislation that ensures equal access to both men and women in federally funded educational programs and activities." - Billie Jean King, email interview
One of the most powerful legislations passed for women in the last 50 years, Title IX, now known as the "Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act," provided equal access for women in all federally funded education activities.
Mink was the co-author of Title IX. Senator Birch Bayh of Indiana, and Rep Edith Green of Oregon also played key roles in securing and supporting its passage. Title IX was passed June 23, 1972. (www.dailynews.com)
Patsy Mink at the WNBA Women's All Star Game
"Discrimination against girls and women in education was pervasive -- she witnessed its impact on her own daughter -- so the need for a robust and comprehensive ban on discrimination was an urgent one. Title IX, a chapter of an education bill that covered many topics, emerged as the vehicle for advancing equity and opportunity for girls and women in education." - Gwendolyn Mink
Photographer, Frances Benjamin Johnston captured women playing basketball in 1899.
In October 2002, the Congress passed and President Bush signed the law renaming Title IX, the "Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act."
"It's rare as a legislator that you fight for legislation you believe in and stay around or live long enough to see it come to fruition,'' Patsy said in 1995, in a meeting with some of the nation's top female basketball players.
"Patsy T. Mink, typed and handwritten notes on Tower Amendment to Title IX, May 21, 1974. Patsy T. Mink Papers, Container 184, Manuscript Division. Used with permission of Gwendolyn Mink." - Library of Congress
"It’s unbelievable to the modern student that only forty-five years ago, young women were not admitted into any colleges and universities, and athletic scholarships were rare. But the degree of equality between the male and female in all aspects of federally funded educational programs is a testament to Title IX's success." - Nancy Zweng, personal interview
Before Title IX, only one in 27 girls played sports. Today, two in five women play sports. (A Look Back at Women's History Since Title IX) There has also been a 904% increase in high schools and a 456% in college of women participating in sports.
Click on pictures below to learn about person Note - pictures with same title and on same line go to same page
Andrea Kremer - became the first female NFL sideline reporter
First Female Sports Broadcasters
Donna de Varona - Two-time Olympic gold medalist and first female broadcaster on network television