Give women a chance, and they'll take the gold

What an amazing performance by America's Olympians!  The 2012 Olympics will be most remembered for the performance of America's female athletes.  Of the 46 gold medal winners from the United States, 29 of them were women.  Only two countries won as many gold medals as the women of the United States.

How wonderful that this tremendous success occurred on the 40th anniversary of Title IX.  The purpose of the 1972 federal law sponsored by Indiana Senator Birch Bayh was simple - Title IX bans sex discrimination of both men and women in programs receiving federal financial assistance. 


There is a Virginia backstory to Birch Bayh's commitment to gender equality.  On his website, Bayh explains, "My late wife, Marvella, educated me about discrimination against women in higher education after her experience being told by the University of Virginia that women 'need not apply'."

Such discrimination is not allowed under Title IX.  Specifically, Title IX states: "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 educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

When we think of Title IX, we typically think of athletics.  And when we think of athletics, we think of the opportunities women have to participate that they did not have 40 years ago. In the 2012 Olympics not only did the United States have more women gold medal winners, there were more women participating than men. 

Title IX did not cause all this success - it enabled the success of American women by providing women an equal chance to compete.  With that chance, American women have demonstrated that they are among the most competitive athletes in the world.  Competition being what it is, there will be more women from other countries after our gold medals.  More female athletes around the world will be encouraged to be their best. 

Given that the scope of Title IX is so much broader than athletics, Birch Bayh is likely amazed that legislation he sponsored forty years ago has contributed so significantly to gender equality in the sporting world.  Title IX is so much more than that...

Virginia Tech receives federal assistance and must insure both men and women are treated fairly, irrespective of their gender.  Title IX also prohibits sexual harassment, which includes sexual  assault and sexual violence, against men or women, students, and employees.  For more background about Virginia Tech and Title IX, please see www.hr.vt.edu/oea/title_ix/index.html.

Treating people fairly is consistent with our Principles of Community and Virginia Tech policy.  Not all of you will win a gold medal, but you will be better able to reach your full potential as members of the Virginia Tech community through the legal protections to equal opportunity.

Thanks to all faculty, staff, and students who believe in equal opportunity for men and women - on the playing fields, in the classroom, and in the workplace.