Fifty -three years ago, a generation of fearless women paved the way for the rest of us. Leaders such as Patsy Mink representative, the first Asian-American woman who was chosen for the congress, and Bernice Sandler, known as the ‘meter of Title IX’, fought to take a law that guaranteed women as men to learn, compete and successful. Title IX stated that women deserve the complete human experience of intellectual challenge and physical development.
Trump Admin Rules Upenn has violated the title IX, requires school return to female athletes
For the majority of history, women were denied the opportunity to grow and compete in sport. In 1966, Bobbi Gibb became the first woman to run the Boston Marathon – but only by hiding in the bushes and without running an official number. A year later, Kathrine Switzer registered under her initials, KV Switzer, and was almost tackled by a racing officer who tried to stop competing. These women, and countless others, laid the foundation for the creation of a separate women’s division in 1972.
University of Pennsylvania Transgender Swimmer Lia Thomas and Kentucky -Swimmer Riley Gaines respond after ending 5th in the 200 Freestyle Finals on the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships on March 18, 2022 in the McAlyey Aquatic Center in Atlanta Georgia. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty images)
In the same year, Title IX Law, which opened doors for women to step on fields and leadership. These women were equipped to compete and win, both in sports and in life. It helped to raise a generation of women who are stronger, more resilient and more prepared to assert their presence and value in the world. This year, a record-breaking 235,735 women competed in NCAA-Sports-a proof of the permanent inheritance of Title IX.
I am one of them.
Like a 12-way NCAA all-American swimmer, I Credit Title IX For my athletic career – and for shaping who I am. Waking up at 4 o’clock in the morning to train for hours, racing against the clock and against my limits, learning to lose, how to lead and how to rise again. These experiences taught me discipline, humility, trust and companionship. They gave me a voice. They made me whole.
But just as women reached new heights – ownership fairs, shattering records, leading teams –Title IX was hijacked. According to the Obama and Biden administrations, this historical civil rights legislation was stripped in the name of ‘inclusion’. Democrats have re -defined title IX to make radical gender ideology possible, so that men who identify themselves as women can compete in women’s sports have access to the changing rooms for women and moving the people title IX was intended to protect.
This is a war against women.
It is a deliberate, coordinated effort to break down the built structure to elevate us. Just as we finally reached parity, our hard -earned protections were rewritten and deleted.
Several states have forbidden transgender student athletes to participate in the teams that match their gender identity. (AP Photo/Samuel Metz, File)
When I was bond with a male swimmer at the NCAA championships, I was not only denied a trophy – I was denied honesty. I was devalued. And I was told to remain silent and to take it.
That was the moment that I realized: this is not just about me. It is about every girl whose voice, safety and opportunities are stolen.
Fortunately, change happens. President Trump has proved to be a champion for womenGet up against extremism of gender ideology. Under his leadership, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Education have taken daring steps to restore the title IX to its original intention. The biological definition of sex under title IX has been restored. Financing is frozen for schools that break the law. A new title IX Special Investigation Unit has been established to keep institutions responsible, and states such as Maine and California have proven that they have cut out their work for them.
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Title IX is written to protect women on the basis of organic sex-no themselves identified gender. Losing that fundamental truth is to lose the heart of the law itself.
And why does that matter? Because growth in sport is more than medals. It is about pushing ourselves mentally and physically, developing character, working hard, failing with grace and to win with integrity. Sports are the training field for life. And if we allow the IX title to be defined again, we run the risk of not only losing championships – but the next generation of female leaders.
For every female athlete, whether you just start or train at the highest level, this knows: your voice is important. Speak the truth. You courage today will protect the girl that comes afterwards – the one who dares to dream, train and win.
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On this birthday I honor the women who fought for title IX. They gave us a future. Now it is our turn to protect it.
The fight is not over. But if we pursue the truth with courage and clarity, we will win.
For them.
For us.
And for every girl to chase her dreams, including our little girl, who will be born in a few months.
Click here to Van Riley Gaines
