By Carly Wetzel, Advocacy and Program Manager at the VOICEINSPORT Foundation

Over 50 years have passed since Title IX was signed into law. Since then, women and girls in sport have repeatedly shattered glass ceilings and broken down barriers. Title IX has been instrumental in opening up opportunities for thousands of young women, leading to a significant increase in the number of girls participating in athletics at the high school level, from less than 300,000 to nearly 3.5 million since the law’s establishment in 1972. The number of women participating in athletics at the collegiate level has also risen exponentially, going from 29,997 to 215,486 from 1972 to 2021.

While the progress made under Title IX has been remarkable, there are still significant challenges to overcome. Despite the growth in opportunity for girls and women in sports, about 93% of American colleges and universities have athletic participation rates for women athletes that fall below the equitable standard set by Title IX, as highlighted in the Government Accountability Office's recent report: “College Athletics: Education Should Improve Its Title IX Enforcement Efforts.” This finding, along with our observations, underscores the ongoing inequities that girls and women face in athletics. 

At the VOICEINSPORT Foundation, our mission is to advocate for girls and women in sport. The more support women and girls have in sport, the more powerful they become. We aim to champion women through three main pillars: research, education, and advocacy. We support innovative sports science research focused on women athletes, travel the country to teach students, coaches, educators, and administrations about Title IX, and empower young women to drive change in their communities. Through our VIS Advocate Program, a leadership program for young women athletes in high school and college, we educate student-athlete leaders about Title IX. We then work with them to evaluate their schools for Title IX compliance and take action to address the inequities they find. In over 90% of the evaluations they complete, they find that their schools are failing to treat their young women athletes equitably – whether they are lacking participation opportunities, failing to offer equitable scholarships, or denying their women and girls access to the same benefits and treatment as the men. Title IX did change the landscape for girls and women in education and athletics. But its promises are largely unfulfilled. 

Throughout history, women have relentlessly battled for the rights, equity, and respect they deserve. The National Women's History Museum stands as a testament to their indomitable spirit, showcasing the fight for every privilege we enjoy today, which have each been earned by the countless women before us who advocated for us and our future – including the honorable Representative Patsy Mink, who authored and sponsored Title IX.

To honor these women and to carry on their legacy and work, we must avoid complacency. As the GAO report demonstrates, progress toward equity in athletics has stalled. Millions of girls are missing out on opportunities in athletics and continue to face many of the same challenges women athletes did in past decades. Additionally, women and girls in sports are still denied millions of dollars in scholarship money compared to men, face frequent inequitable treatment, and are two to three times more likely to drop out of sports than boys in their high school years. When girls are consistently treated as second-rate, they are conditioned to believe they do not deserve the same opportunities and respect that boys receive – on and off the playing field. Encouraging girls to challenge these norms and continue fighting for equity is increasingly important.

At the VOICEINSPORT Foundation, we know there is reason for optimism. In women’s sports, we see small and large victories every day. On the biggest stages, women in sport are commanding the spotlight, breaking records, and carrying the torch forward. Behind the scenes, the progress goes even further. In the three years of our VIS Advocate Program, we have worked with hundreds of young women athletes who go above and beyond for their teammates and communities. They’ve built communities at their schools through VIS Chapters – clubs that advocate for gender equity in sport and provide a safe space for girls in sport to connect. They’ve authored the Fair Play for Women Act – legislation fighting for a stronger Title IX. They’ve sparked change at their schools and inspired others to do the same. These young women have passion, determination, and resilience, and they are just getting started. At the VOICEINSPORT Foundation, we continue to believe in the power of young women, and it is our mission to make sure they believe in their power as well. 

Though Title IX’s promises have yet to be completely realized, the progress the law and the women who fought for it have achieved so far stands as a testament to what can be accomplished when women come together and use their collective voice. At VISF, we will continue to encourage young women to be leaders of change and equity so that Title IX reaches its full potential and all athletes have the opportunity to play on an equitable playing field.

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About VOICEINSPORT Foundation

VOICEINSPORT Foundation, a member of the National Women's History Museum National Coalition,  is a global 501c3 non-profit organization on a mission to close the gap for girls and women in sports through innovative sports science research, educational content and an advocacy program for high school and college women athletes called the VIS Advocate Program. VOICEINSPORT Foundation was founded in 2020 by executive and advocate Stef Strack. For more information, please visit voiceinsportfoundation.org and check them out on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

About Carly Wetzel

Carly Wetzel is the Advocacy and Program Manager at the VOICEINSPORT Foundation. An alumni of the University of North Carolina and the University of St Andrews in Scotland, she brings to VIS her passion for social justice and the empowerment of women and girls in sports and beyond. With a background in both athletics and politics, Carly is passionate about advocating for young athletes of all backgrounds and fighting for an equal playing field.