Steven Holt: “I rise in support of title IX. Title IX of the educational amendments of 1972 have really been instrumental in…”

“I rise in support of title IX. Title IX of the educational amendments of 1972 have really been instrumental in prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex by mandating gender equality and educational programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Before the passage of title IX, when I and most of our colleagues were in college, many schools saw no problem in maintaining strict limits on admission of women or in simply refusing to admit them, or in denying them access to much of the opportunities within colleges and universities. This has changed dramatically since the passage of Title IX. The effects of the legislation are evident in the success of women in the classroom, on the campus, and in our society at large. In 1972, women received only 9 percent of medical degrees, 7 percent of law degrees, a quarter of doctoral degrees. By 2000, women received 45 percent of medical degrees, 44 percent of law degrees, and 44 percent of doctoral degrees. There is a connection. Thanks to Patsy Mink and others who fought to get Title IX into the legislation, women now have opportunities on the athletic field, throughout the campus, and throughout their lives.”