Welcome!
The Institute for the Study of Sport, Society and Social Change's mission is to enrich the lives of its students, to transmit knowledge to its students along with the necessary skills for applying it in the service of our society, and to expand the base of knowledge through research and scholarship.
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This ISSSSC Sport Conversation for Change will share expert advocate & activists insights on National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) and its relationship to and significance with Title IX. We will also share our "Words TO Action" collaborative effort with the Wall of Song Project "Feeling Good", a social action initiative, created by SJSU Art Lecturer Mel Day: https://wallofsongproject.com/
I. Meet your panelists...
Sarah Axelson, Women’s Sport Foundation
Sarah Axelson is Vice President, Advocacy at the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF). Having worked in women’s sports advocacy for more than a decade, Axelson is a Title IX expert, focusing her work on both grassroots and national initiatives that educate the public and advocate for policies and practices that advance gender equity in sports.
Sarah Axelson's Research
- In a first of its kind study, Sarah Axelson and team conducted research upon factors that influence sport participation amongst girls including looking into interpersonal and intrapersonal characteristics.
- In another study, Axelson examines the development of girls in sport through the lens of coaching practices, culture, environment and policy barriers that contribute to participation and retention in sports.
In honor of the 48th Anniversary of Title IX join LaChina Robinson, Billie Jean King, Candace Parker, Dawn Staley, Neena Chaudhry and Sarah Axelson for a discussion on the law's impact on girls of color.
Dr. Courtney Flowers, Texas Southern University & ISSSSC Faculty Affiliate
Dr. Courtney Flowers is an Associate Professor of Sport Management in the Department of Health, Kinesiology, & Sport Studies at Texas Southern University. Her scholarship uses sports as a vehicle to examine systemic and culturally based forms of bias and prejudice as well as strategies for cultivating diversity and inclusion. Her primary research focuses on diversity and inclusion, Title IX and gender equity in sports and legal aspects in sports.
Dr. Courtney Flowers' Research
- From a book compiled by scholars titled "Critical Race Theory: Black Athletic Sporting Experiences in the United States", Dr. Flowers writes a chapter on the "winning-at-all-costs" mentality and its impact upon African-American college athletes.
- In collaboration with ISSSSC's own Dr. Akilah-Carter Francique, Dr. Courtney Flowers writes a chapter in the book "Intersections of Race, Ethnicity, and Gender in Sport" detailing the relationships of gender, race, and ethnicity in sport, with a look into Title IX.
Dr. Courtney Flowers and other scholars discuss the experiences of athletes, coaches, and athletic departments’ daily operations and how HBCUs are continuing to nurture the holistic development, academic engagement and mental health and well-being of its college athletes during COVID-19.
Dr. Jacqueline McDowell, Black Women in Sport Foundation
Dr. Jacqueline McDowell has been a part of the Black Women In Sport Foundation as the secretary since 2017. Aside from her work with the foundation, she currently works at George Mason University as an Associate Professor of Sports Management, and as an Academic Program Coordinator for the Kinesiology Undergraduate Program. Her research focuses on issues of diversity and inclusion in sport and recreation organizations, with a particular emphasis on investigating and developing strategies and programs that can be implemented to remove barriers to participation.
Dr. Jacqueline McDowell's Research
- Using intersectionality theory as a lens, the study conducted by Dr. McDowell and Dr. Akilah-Carter Francique, investigated the organizational experiences of African American women athletic directors.
- Dr. Jacqueline McDowell worked on another study where the purpose was to explore how the creation of discourses of masculinity and femininity undermine most women’s access and acceptance into American football.
Dr. Jacqueline McDowell is featured in Board Talks, a video blog series hosted by Tolu Omokore to not only introduce board members but take a dive into their work with the Black Women in Sport Foundation and discuss their hopes for the future.
Dr. Ellen Staurowsky, Ithaca College
Dr. Ellen J. Staurowsky, is a professor in sports media in the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College. Dr. Staurowsky is internationally recognized as an expert on social justice issues in sport which include gender equity and Title IX, pay equity and equal employment opportunity, college athletes’ rights and the exploitation of college athletes, the faculty role in reforming college sport, representation of women in sport media, and the misappropriation of American Indian imagery in sport.
Dr. Ellen Staurowsky's Research
- Dr. Staurowsky is the lead author on the Women’s Sports Foundation’s comprehensive and expansive research report that reviews existing and emerging research on the links between participation in sport and physical activity and the health and wellbeing of American girls and women.
- Dr. Ellen Staurowsky authored a comprehensive report on the current landscape for girls and women in sport including challenges, barriers, progress and opportunities. Areas of focus include: sport participation opportunities for girls and women; the barriers that limit and/or hinder participation; critical health and safety concerns; Title IX and its ongoing role in supporting the infrastructure for equal access to sport participation and more.
Dr. Ellen Staurowsky sits down and talks with host, Micheal Mallery to discuss her dedication to social justice including her work and knowledge of Title IX.
With Special guest...
Mel Day, San José State University & Wall of Song Project
Mel Day is a San Francisco Bay Area-based British-Canadian interdisciplinary artist, former college athlete, lecturer, and co-founder of The Wall of Song Project. Recently awarded the 2019 Silicon Valley Creates Artist Laureate Nexus Award, Day has shared her collaborative work with venues including Provident Credit Union Event Center and The San José Museum of Art (San Jose), Grace Cathedral, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (San Francisco), and Berkeley Art Museum.
Mel Day's Work
- WALL OF SONG: HALLELUJAH- A collaborative project by Mel Day and Micheal Namkung invites people from all different backgrounds, beliefs, political affiliations, orientations and countries of origin to record themselves signing along to Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah.
- Mel Day‘s interdisciplinary work combines new technologies and the virtual with traditional media and ‘actual’ forms and experiences. For her incredible work, Day received the 2019 SVNexus Artist Laureate Award.
II. Highlighting Centers, organizations & Educators
National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) by Women's Sports Foundation
"We are the ally, advocate and catalyst for tomorrow's leaders. We exist to enable girls and women to reach their potential in sport and life."
About NGWSD 2022
February 2, 2022, marks the 36th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). This celebration inspires girls and women to play and be active, to realize their full power. The confidence, strength and character gained through sports participation are the very tools girls and women need to become strong leaders in sports and life.
NGWSD History
National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) began in 1987 as a special day in our nation’s capital to recognize women’s sports. The day united premiere organizations and elite women athletes to bring national attention to the promise of girls and women in sports.
NGWSD also served as a remembrance of Olympic volleyball player, Flo Hyman, for her athletic achievements and dedication to promoting equality for women’s sports; Hyman died of Marfan’s Syndrome in 1986. NGWSD has since evolved into an event to acknowledge the accomplishments of girls and women in sports, the positive influence of sports participation and the continuing struggle for equality for women in sports. (Women's Sports Foundation, 2022)
Black Women in Sport Foundation (BWSF)
"The Black Women in Sport Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase the involvement of black women and girls in all aspects of sport, including athletics, coaching and administration. BWSF’s work, however, is not limited to black women and girls. It enrolls girls and boys in the programs conducted throughout the city of Philadelphia and surrounding areas."
BWSF History
During the evolving era of the 1960’s and 70’s, four female teens aspired to challenge the assumptions about black women’s participation in non-traditional sports. Encouraged and motivated by mentors and their families, they explored their options to engage in the world of sport beyond the limitations that existed, particularly for black women in their particular areas of interest. More importantly, they recognized that their opportunities for life success would be enhanced through their academic and athletic pursuits, as they developed the critical life-learning skills that characterize the arena of sports. Eventually, the paths of the four women – Tina Sloan Green, Dr. Alpha Alexander, Dr. Nikki Franke, and Linda Greene, Esq. – would cross at Temple University and, realizing the dearth of black female participants and role models in the field, they organized the founding of the Black Women in Sport Foundation. (The BWSF Story)
What They Do
The Black Women in Sport Foundation has offered educational and athletic instruction to girls, with a particular focus on those attending schools located in disenfranchised neighborhoods in the Philadelphia area. While the sports of fencing, tennis, lacrosse, field hockey, golf, soccer and softball are areas of specialization, they are not the only sports utilized in our programs. Equipment needed to participate in BWSF is provided to students. Staff members are trained to work with youth from pre-k to high school. Designed to empower girls to develop healthy self images and strong self esteem, BWSF utilizes a three-prong approach to academic instruction and sports education: After-school and Summer Programming; University Student Mentors; and Professional Athletic and Educational Support Program. (BWSF Youth Programs)
The BWSF’s Next Step Mini-Forum is a professional development and preparation program designed to help increase the participation and percentage of women of color as collegiate head coaches and athletic administrators at 4-year National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) institutions. Networking opportunities abound and information is plentiful as panelists of accomplished women from all areas of the world of sport - coaches, athletes, physicians, educators, administrators and others. (BWSF Professional Programs)
International Working Group on Girls and Women in Sport
"Dedicated to advancing gender equity and equality in sport, physical education and physical activity. It is fully aligned to the 17x United Nations Sustainable Development Goals"
IWG History
Established in 1994, the IWG advocates and runs programs globally year-round. It developed and remains guardian of the Brighton plus Helsinki 2014 Declaration, which now has the commitment of nearly 600 signatories worldwide. Every four years it stages the IWG World Conference on Women & Sport.
What They Do
IWG offers an Insight Hub. This collection of research, case studies, toolkits and news - contributed by the International Working Group (IWG) on Women & Sport network and Insight Partners - is designed to empower and advance gender equity and equality for women and girls in sport and physical activity worldwide.
The IWG World Conference on Women & Sport is the largest gathering in the world to advance gender equity and equality in sport and physical activity. IWG connects with a community of action through their conference uniquely designed to provide both a virtual or a hybrid experience. The worlds’ best insights, case studies, toolkits, ideas and stories of change are woven together to inspire and accelerate more change. (IWG, 2022)
Dr. Nicole LaVoi & University of Minnesota Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport
"The Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport is an interdisciplinary research center leading a global effort to accelerate change for girls and women in sport and physical activity and their families and communities."
About Dr. Nicole LaVoi
Nicole M. LaVoi, Ph.D. is a Senior Lecturer in the area of social and behavioral sciences in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota where she is the Director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport.
As a leading scholar on women coaches LaVoi has published numerous book chapters, research reports and peer reviewed articles across multiple disciplines. Her seminal research includes the annual Women in College Coaching Report Card which is aimed at retaining and increasing the number of women in the coaching profession, and a groundbreaking book Women in Sports Coaching. She is also the founder and director of the annual Women Coaches Symposium held on the U of MN campus which serves over 350+ women coaches of all sport and all levels. LaVoi focuses her research on the relational qualities of the coach-athlete relationship, the physical activity of underserved girls, the barriers and supports experienced by women in sport coaching, and media representations of girls and women in sport. (University of Minnesota Faculty)
The Tucker Center History
The vision and pioneering spirit of Dorothy McNeill Tucker led to the establishment of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota in 1993. The creation of an interdisciplinary research center—devoted solely to girls and women in sport—established standards of excellence with respect to scholarly inquiry, graduate education and community outreach and public service. Housed in the College of Education and Human Development's School of Kinesiology, the Tucker Center is devoted to sponsoring, promoting, and disseminating scholarly activity on how sport impacts the lives of girls and women.
What They Do
The Tucker Center focuses on three goals:
1. Collaborative research: Our affiliated scholars work as interdisciplinary research teams focused on cutting-edge issues, challenges, and opportunities within sports contexts.
2. Research that counts: We focus on scholarship that directly impacts the physical activity experience of and for girls and women. Our research examines how sport and physical activity improve girls’ and women’s psycho-social and physical health throughout their lives—promoting girls’ self-confidence, preventing eating disorders, or helping women stay healthy as they age.
3. Education: Community outreach, civic engagement, and mentoring students are important components of the Tucker Center. We sponsor a Distinguished Lecture Series in which nationally recognized scholars and educators share their findings and insights with policymakers, students, and families. We also serve as a resource center for private and public organizations, educational institutions, media outlets, and the general public. (The Tucker Center)
Jenny Lim & Canadian Women & Sport
"We are dedicated to creating an equitable and inclusive Canadian sport and physical activity system that empowers girls and women – as active participants and leaders – within and through sport. With a focus on systemic change, we partner with governments, organizations and leaders to challenge the status quo and to advance solutions that result in measurable change."
About Jenny Lim
Jenny Lim is a Program Coordinator at Canadian Women & Sport, where she applies her diverse skills in the development and execution of programs such as Gender Equity Audits, Action Plans and Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA+).
Canadian Women & Sport History
Formally launched in 1981, Canadian Women & Sport was founded to advocate for progressive change within Canada’s sport system. Its goal was to see the enhanced presence of girls and women at all levels and in all areas – as athletes, participants, leaders, officials, coaches and trainers. (Canadian Women and Sport About)
What They Do
Canadian Women & Sport is dedicated to creating an equitable and inclusive Canadian sport and physical activity system that empowers girls and women as active participants and leaders. We partner with a wide variety of organizations, offering customized solutions, practical tools, and research that support them to advance gender equity in their communities. Learning opportunities include: Workshops & Presentations, Webinars and E-Learning. (Canadian Women & Sports, 2022)
Dr. Ann Pegoraro at University of Guelph
"The Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph is committed to developing leaders with a social conscience, an environmental sensibility and a commitment to their communities."
About Dr. Ann Pegoraro
Ann Pegoraro is the Lang Chair in Sport Management, currently holds an appointment as a Full Professor in the School of Hospitality, Food, and Tourism, all at the University of Guelph. Dr. Pegoraro is also the co-Director of the National Network for Research on Gender Equity in Canadian Sport. She is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working with the sport industry. Dr. Pegoraro's research focuses mainly on sport consumers, marketing and communication, including how different forms of media are used to establish connections with consumers of sport at all levels from amateur to professional. Dr. Pegoraro’s research has been published in journals such as Sex Roles, Communication and Sport, American Behavioral Scientist, Journal of Sport Management, and Online Information Review. (University of Guelph Faculty)
Dr. Ann Pegoraro's Research
In Dr. Ann Pegoraro's research article titled The “Angry Black Woman”: How Race, Gender, and American Politics Influenced User Discourse Surrounding the Jemele Hill Controversy, Dr. Pegoraro researches the September 11, 2017 incident where ESPN’s Jemele Hill tweeted that United States President Donald Trump was a “white supremacist.” Online reaction was swift and divided. The purpose of this study was to analyze how people were discussing the incident on Facebook using the theoretical lens of framing. (Howard Journal of Communications)
In another research study titled Self-Representations of Women’s Sport Fandom on Instagram at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Dr. Pegoraro investigated how fans of women’s sport are using Instagram to self-represent their fandom. It uses the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) as a case study to examine the ways in which fans at a women’s sport event express their fandom through images and to consider the social and political dimensions of using Instagram for promoting women’s sport. (SAGE Journal Communication and Sport)
III. Taking A look at title ix...
History of Title IX
The fundamental principle underlying Title IX is that students may not be denied educational opportunities based on their sex – a principle that applies to the wide range of activities offered by schools, including admissions to, and financial aid for, post-secondary institutions; student services and counseling; and athletics and physical education. Schools are also responsible for taking steps to prevent sex-based harassment, including sexual harassment, and for responding quickly and effectively to harassment when it occurs. Additionally, under Title IX, a school may not retaliate against a person because he or she opposed an unlawful educational practice or policy or took action against discrimination (Justice.gov, 2012).
Although Title IX was not specifically geared towards diminishing the gender disparities solely in sport, it vastly expanded women's access and participation in athletic programs.
Before Title IX, few opportunities existed for female athletes. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which was created in 1906 to format and enforce rules in men’s football but had become the ruling body of college athletics, offered no athletic scholarships for women and held no championships for women’s teams. Furthermore, facilities, supplies and funding were lacking.
"In 1972, there were just over 300,000 women and girls playing college and high school sports in the United States. Female athletes received 2 percent of college athletic budgets, while athletic scholarships for women were virtually nonexistent." (Pruitt, 2021)
After Title IX was passed by Congress on June 23, 1972 through Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, women's participation in high school and college athletics improved dramatically as shown in the graphic below.
A. TITLE IX KEY SUCCESSES FOR WOMEN & GIRLS IN SPORT
- Title IX has increased female participation in sports exponentially- In response to greater opportunities to play, the number of high school girls participating in sport has risen tenfold in the past 40 years, while six times as many women compete in college sports. (ncwge.org)
- It has opened the door to more educational opportunities for women- Before Title IX, most athletic scholarship opportunities were granted to men. The Education Amendments created more access for women to receive scholarships because equal opportunities had to be provided. At the same time, schools were able to create more diversity within their student body and offer new opportunities that could expand their recruiting influence. (Gaille, 2017)
- High school sports have benefited from Title IX as well- Title IX often looks at collegiate sports, but high school athletics have benefited as well. Before 1972, just 1 in 27 girls played high school sports at a varsity level. After 30 years of Title IX being present, 1 in 2.5 girls played varsity high school sports. About 3 million teen girls are playing at the high school level today because of Title IX. In return, that means many girls have more self-confidence and are more outgoing because they’ve had similar access to opportunities when compared to men. (Gaille, 2017)
b. Let's Talk About Title IX and Coaching
Impacts of Title IX on Women Coaches
In a report produced by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics and Sport (TIDES), it is indicated that there has been little change, and that men still dominate coaching when it comes to college sports. Four key highlights found from the report include:
- Women hold 8.6% of the head coach positions of men’s Division I teams. Women held 10.6% of the positions in Division II and 12.2% in Division III
- There are currently no women coaching men’s basketball teams at any level.
- Women made up only 10.5% of Division I athletics directors. This number is down from 11.2 percent in 2016-2017, and is particularly depressing when you consider that Division 1 athletes are 43.9% female.
- For women’s teams, women hold only 40.8% of all head coaching jobs. Men even dominate in assistant coaching, with women only holding 49% of all assistant coaching jobs in women’s sports.
In 1972, just prior to Title IX, women held 90% of the head coaching positions for women’s teams. Title IX forced colleges and universities to provide equal funding for men’s and women’s sports. Although this was beneficial for female college athletes, it had the exact opposite impact on female coaches. When Title IX was enacted, money flooded into women’s sports, and universities were forced to offer significantly higher salaries to coaches for these teams. Suddenly, men were interested in these jobs and they were hired. (Elsesser, 2019)
IV. living at the intersections
A. Defining Intersectionality in Sport
Intersectionality is a concept that can help policy makers and sport programmers understand how different types of discrimination – like racism, homophobia, and ableism – combine to prevent some women and girls from participating in sport. Intersectionality is important in advancing gender equity in sport because one solution may not work for ALL women and girls. If we don’t acknowledge this, we risk building more barriers to true equity. (Canadian Women and Sport, 2020)
B. The next set of pictures provides infographics to describe disparities in race, identity and disability
"According to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Systems (IPEDS), in Fall of 2004 Blacks comprised 12 percent of all females who attended predominately White colleges. Yet, according to the 2005 NCAA Race and Gender Report, Blacks comprised less than 5 percent of all female student-athletes in the Division I prep sports." (Gill Jr., 2007)
Borland and Bruening found that, “Discrimination, lack of support, and prevalent stereotypes act as barriers contributing to the underrepresentation of black women in head coaching jobs in Division I women’s basketball in the United States." (2010, p. 407)
"Sports are often an area of society in which ableism is evident. In sports media, disabled athletes are often portrayed to be inferior. When disabled athletes are discussed in the media, there is often an emphasis on rehabilitation and the road to recovery, which is inherently a negative view on the disability." (Cherney et al., 2013)
Websites on LGBTQ+ Athletics: Athlete Ally & TransAthlete
"Existing research finds that LGBTQ youth participate in sports at lower rates than their straight and cisgender peers with LGBTQ youth athletes reporting that they feel less safe in sports environments." (Human Rights Campaign, 2018)
V. resources
Check Out this Inspirational Video for Women in Athletics
Check Out this Documentary on How the University of Illinois, under the Leadership of Dr. Karol Kahrs, Adapted to Title IX in the 1970s
Listen to WNBA Stars Nneka Ogwumike and Sue Bird as they Discuss their Efforts for Social Justice
Vii. Wall of song project: feeling good
Since 2019, San Jose State University’s renowned Institute for the Study of Sport, Society and Social Change and The Wall of Song Project have been inviting athletes, fans, students and community supporters to sing FEELING GOOD—the song made famous by Nina Simone—as an anthem of solidarity and a call to action for women’s sport and a more equitable, racially just community.
An ongoing collaborative art project, FEELING GOOD acknowledges, celebrates, and builds upon the deep legacy of athlete activism at SJSU. While there has been some progress since the enactment of Title IX, we continue to see disparities in access, pay equity, working conditions, leadership and coaching opportunities, sports coverage (and the largely invisible work of athlete activists in women’s sports). We also have noticed the well-documented ways in which collective singing can help to cultivate joint perspectives, charge our courage, and touch each other at a distance. (WallofSongProject.com)
Thank You for #JoiningtheConversation!
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Creator Credit: Marissa Ramos | ISSSSC Intern 2021-2022 | E: marissa.n.ramos@sjsu.edu Research & Call to Action Sections: Jesse Bair | ISSSSC Intern 2021-2022 | E: jesse.bair@sjsu.edu