Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was originally written in order to end discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, the act tremendously helped to energize the women’s rights movement which had somewhat slowed after women’s suffrage in 1920. After signing the Civil Rights Act a few years earlier, in 1967, President Johnson issued a series of executive orders in order to make some clarifications. Before these clarifications were made, the National Organization for Women (NOW) persuaded President Johnson to include women in his executive orders. Most notable is Executive Order 11246, which required all entities receiving federal contracts to end discrimination in hiring.

Title IX was drafted and introduced by Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink, with the assistance of Congresswoman Edith Green. In the hearing there was very little mention of athletics. Their focus was more specifically on the hiring and employment practices of federally financed institutions. The proposed Title IX created much buzz and gained a lot of support.

Title IX, as we know it today, was passed into law on June 23, 1972.

If fewer women than men participate in sports, does the school system have an obligation to undertake efforts to increase women’s interest in sports?
Does the school system also have an obligation to try to reduce the disparity between men’s and women’s performance so that, to the extent possible, single-sex teams eventually can be eliminated?
Where do you see the future of Title IX headed?
Does Title IX have a ripple effect outside the sports arena? In other words, how far reaching is Title IX to other realms of gender equality such as sexual harassment and sexual assault?
What are the constitutional issues associated with this topic?