Title IX reads, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX being passed. Its purpose is to protect against gender-based discrimination in sports or academic opportunities in schools that receive federal funding. Title IX was created as a follow up to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Civil Rights Act prohibited gender-based discrimination in hiring, promoting, and firing, but it did not mention education.

Director of Marketing and Communications Kathy Walsh has been involved in the planning of events to celebrate Title IX at John Carroll.

According to Mrs. Walsh, “The best-known way in which Title IX protects students is through its requirement that schools provide the historically-underrepresented gender in sports, females, with equal opportunity to participate in athletic activities.

However, that’s not all Title IX is about. Title IX also protects students in other critical ways, including preventing gender-based violence and harassment and ensuring all students can continue their education.”

At John Carroll, actions are being taken to celebrate Title IX throughout the school year.

Mrs. Walsh said, “Our main focus is on the regular video series that will serve to both educate current students about why Title IX was such a milestone legislation and to inspire them by sharing the stories of other women who have either been involved in moving John Carroll forward or who attribute their success in part to the effects of Title IX during their time at JC.”

Assisting Mrs. Walsh in this effort is Mrs. Elizabeth Gay and Mrs. Tess Gauthier. Mrs. Gay has been creating a series of videos that highlight Title IX at John Carroll.

The videos are narrated by Mrs. Gauthier who has an extensive history of involvement in women’s sports at John Carroll.

The first video, which is available on the John Carroll YouTube channel, highlights women in the history of John Carroll.

A second video is planned to highlight female leadership at John Carroll.

Additionally, the marketing team is setting up a website page to house the videos and the information contained in them as well as to create a display on campus to reflect the year-long celebration.
Other things planned include a keynote speaker at the end-of-year athletics ceremony on May 21 who will speak to students about the impact of Title IX.

Title IX has been an important factor in creating gender equality in schools for many years. Senior Project Coordinator Louise Geczy recalls a time before Title IX where gender-based discrimination was still in classrooms. “I can remember sitting in the back of a chemistry class, and the teacher was saying that I should probably sit in the back because I’d have trouble understanding the material. And it was because I was a girl.”

Title IX also has personal meaning to Mrs. Walsh. She commented, “As a female in a leadership role at John Carroll, as well as the mom of two daughters, I love that our Title IX recognition here at John Carroll aligns with my personal commitment to mentoring young women and working to ensure equitable opportunities for all of our JC Patriots.”

John Carroll’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX highlights the importance of women in the community.