Bev Smith holds a first-hand perspective on the impact of Title IX.
She was one of the first female athletes to play on scholarship at Oregon. Smith, now the women’s basketball coach, and a collection of other speakers will celebrate tonight the 35th anniversary of the legislation’s passing at the Stadium Club at Autzen Stadium.
Title IX is an educational amendment passed in 1972 that banned sex discrimination, whether it is in athletics or academics.
“There weren’t that many opportunities before that to have access to education in terms of the science and math and in terms of having opportunities to get into traditional male sectors of education, whether that includes math, sciences, biology and athletics,” Smith said.
Smith is one of four speakers who will take part.
Joan Acker, a Professor Emerita of Sociology, worked “behind the scenes” on Title IX and was one of Smith’s professors. Dr. Lois Youngen is a former catcher from the professional baseball league featured in the movie “A League of Their Own.” Krista Parent is the superintendent of the South Lane School District and is a former Duck. Tamika Nurse is a point guard for the Oregon women’s basketball team.
Smith wore an Oregon uniform from 1978 to 1982 and played in McArthur Court just a few years after women held games in Gerlinger Hall.
“I was one of the first full-ride student athletes for women’s basketball here in 1978,” she said. “You don’t know that when you’re young, but that was a huge, huge thing.”
Current female athletes often lack a clear understanding of the legislation’s importance, Smith said. Part of the coach’s job is “providing them with some perspective on what has allowed them to be in the situation that they’re in terms of being able to take advantage of an opportunity to have an education and athletics experience. At one time it wasn’t there and just to have an understanding of where it came from and to do their part in trying to promote it and continue to create those opportunities for young girls and women.”
Nurse gained insight into Title IX through a term paper she did last year, Smith said.
“She really learned a lot about what exactly has taken place for her to be here at the University of Oregon on a full scholarship, being able to access all of the facilities maybe at one time people didn’t have access to 30 years ago,” Smith said. “She has a perspective from a young person’s view on ‘Wow, I really didn’t know where we came from and now I have a better idea of where we need to go.’”
The event starts at 7 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
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Title IX celebration to showcase societal progress
Daily Emerald
November 26, 2007
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