Title IX, a landmark gender equity law, was signed into law forty years ago by then-president Richard M. Nixon. Included in the education amendments of 1972, the law requires equal treatment of boys and girls in educational programs that receive federal funds.
Tennis champion Billie Jean King is one of the witnesses whospoke about the importance of Title IX for women in sports and education in general.
Other witnesses included: Nancy Hogshead-Makar, Olympic swimming gold medalist, and professor of law, Florida Coastal School of Law; Mae Carol Jemison, physician and retired NASA astronaut; and Rear Adm. Sandra L. Stosz, superintendent, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn.
Sen. Tom Harken (D-IA) chairs the hearing.