50 Years Later: The Significance of Title IX & Women Who Continue to Make an Impact
11 Jul 2022
50 years ago, Title IX forever changed women's sports when the groundbreaking gender equity law was passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972, ultimately increasing the participation of girls and women in athletics. However, the significance of Title IX reaches far beyond sports. Touching on themes of gender equity, social change, mental health, overcoming adversity and more, the trailblazing female athletes and coaches below inspire with personal stories of failures and triumphs, reminding us all that it's never to late to achieve our goals in life.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Track Superstar
One of the greatest athletes of all time, Joyner-Kersee was the first woman to win back-to-back gold medals in the heptathlon, as well as the first woman to score 7,000 points in this event. Passionate about leveling the playing field, she mobilizes individuals and communities to drive change.
Joanne "Coach P" McCallie
Hall-of-Fame NCAA Basketball Coach, Best-Selling Author & Mental Health Warrior
Coach P motivates with a message that you are tougher and stronger than you think. Sharing her own journey of overcoming adversity, she provides the tools needed for growth and success.
Mia Hamm
Soccer Legend
A gold medalist of the 1996 Olympics, Hamm is a gifted athlete credited with raising the bar for women's sports. She speaks on how sports effect self-esteem, goal setting, and individual vs. group excellence.
Dominique Dawes
Gymnast, Olympic Gold Medalist
A gymnastics coach and motivational coach, Dawes helps people realize that overcoming the inevitable obstacles, challenges, and doubts are the moments in the journey that build the champion.
Shawn Johnson
Gymnast & DWTS Champion
Johnson's lifetime achievements include Olympic Medals, a New York Times best-selling book, several businesses, and more. She inspires with a message about overcoming failure and going against the grain as you pursue your life goals.
Skylar Diggins
WNBA Star
A five-time gold medalist and captain of various USA women’s basketball teams, Diggins speaks about her sports journey, becoming motivated to succeed, the team-building lessons she learned, and more.
Tamika Catchings
Hall-of-Fame WNBA Player
A basketball superstar and inspiration to all, Catchings overcame challenges including a hearing loss, separation from family, and debilitating injuries to lead the Indiana Fever to its first championship. She encourages people to face their fears and reach for the stars no matter the obstacles.
Imani McGee-Stafford
WNBA Player, Poet & Mental Health Advocate
McGee-Stafford left her biggest impact off the court when she chose to speak out about her struggles with mental health and overcoming her abusive childhood on SportsCenter in a segment called SC Featured: Her Voice. She has since made it her life's purpose to provide a voice to the silenced.