Title IX Celebration at Calvert Library (press release

June 6, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact:  Robyn Truslow

410-535-0291

 

Calvert Library and the Commission for Women are partnering to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of Title IX on Monday, June 26 at 7pm.  Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is the federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in schools and colleges that receive federal financial assistance. While often called “the sports law,” Title IX covers all aspects of how schools treat students – from admission to athletics and the classroom. Margaret Dunkle with the Commission for Women will introduce and moderate the discussion.  According to Dunkle, prior to Title IX’s passage, it was perfectly legal to discriminate against women in the workplace and in schools when receiving professional degrees.  Discrimination was particularly obvious in the arena of women’s sports where women only received 1-2% of college athletics money and there were no athletic scholarships for women. 

 

After Dunkle’s introduction, a panel including Commissioner Susan Shaw; Gladys Pederson Bowers, 1950 Graduate of Calvert County High School; Kim Roof, Director of Student Services for Calvert County Public Schools; and Robert Earl Radford, Head Coach, Northern High School Girls’ Softball Team and a proud Title IX dad will tell their personal Title IX stories.  There will then be time for questions and for the audience to share their Title IX stories. 

 

Dunkle and the Commission for Women are recruiting partnerships with organizations who are willing to sign a Title IX Partnership Pledge identifying one thing their organization will do by the end of 2012 to show support for Title IX.  On Tuesday, June 5, the Board of Calvert County Commissioners presented a proclamation in support of the 40^th Anniversary Celebration and encouraging citizens to participate in the activities and programs around this anniversary.

Margaret Dunkle has been described as “the unsung heroine of Title IX.”  Her leadership was a major force in ensuring strong Title IX rules, especially in athletics, which quickly became the most evident and contentious area of inequities for women and girls.  Her work on this project resulted in her being inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame.  Meet her and tell your own story on Monday, June 25 at Calvert Library Prince Frederick.  For more information, call the Calvert Library Prince Frederick at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862. 

 

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Robyn Truslow

Public Relations Coordinator

Calvert Library

850 Costley Way

Prince Frederick, MD  20678

phone:  410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862

fax:  410-535-3022

rtruslow@somd.lib.md.us