DNC Statement on Anniversary of Title IX

DNC Chairman Howard Dean and DNC Women's Caucus Chair Mame Reiley today issued the following statement marking the 36th anniversary of the enactment of Title IX, which outlaws sex discrimination in educational programs. After the passage of Title IX in 1972, today more than 2.7 million girls participate in athletics in high school according to the U.S. Dept. of Education. [Feminist Majority Foundation Website, accessed 6/18/08]

"Today we celebrate the enactment of Title IX, landmark legislation that has helped ensure gender equity in education. Title IX has quite literally changed women's lives, providing opportunities for millions of women and girls who have made tremendous strides in all aspects of our educational system. With female university presidents, female engineers, female brain surgeons, and female professors in field after field, Title IX has left its mark for generations to come. This legislation reflects our nation's values and the core belief that all people, regardless of religion, background, or gender should have the same rights and opportunities.

"But today we also recognize that more work needs to be done. Now as much as ever these goals of equality and fairness are under assault. For seven years the Bush Administration has worked to erode women's rights, and John McCain offers more of the same. He has said he would appoint the same kinds of judges that have worked to undermine important laws like Title IX -- laws that have changed our country for the better and for which we struggled so long to pass. For this reason and so many more, we must elect Barack Obama our next president to bring our country the kind of change we can all believe in."