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Advocacy Features
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Recognizes enrollment of 10,000th BAWSI Girl
Washington, DC - On June 6, 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a speech marking the launch of the State Department's Women's World Cup Initiative, aimed at empowering girls and women around the world through sports. Not only did she remember and celebrate the 1999 US Women's World Cup victory, but she also highlighted a number of initiatives that were born out of that electrifying moment in women's sports history. Ms. Clinton mentioned BAWSI by name and noted the recent enrollment of our 10,000th BAWSI Girl-a significant milestone that comes just in time to mark the 40th anniversary of Title IX. As Ms. Clinton explained, "this is a program that has literally leveled the playing field. Because sports programs teach girls of every income level and ethnic background about leadership and teamwork, about supporting one another." Read the full text of her speech on the State Department's website.
"Know the Score" Report on Title IX Compliance in South Bay High Schools, presented by AAUW
On May 18th, 2011, BAWSI partnered with the San Jose branch of the American Association of University Women (AAWU) and the Santa Clara County Office of Women's Policy to present a panel on equity in sports throughout Santa Clara County's high schools. Moderated by BAWSI CEO Marlene Bjornsrud, the panel presented findings from the AAUW's "Know the Score" compliance report, part of a national effort to assess equity in high school athletics as required by Title IX. The study examined 14 public high schools to identify each school's Title IX Coordinator and gather information about proportionality of sports participation by gender, equality of facilities and equipment, and parity in game schedules and locations. The study concluded that there is room for improvement, and the AAUW has begun working with school districts to propose and implement program adjustments. The full "Know the Score"" report can be found on the AAUW San Jose branch website.
BAWSI Co-Hosts "Title IX Today, Title IX Tomorrow"
On April 28, 2007, BAWSI and the Stanford Center on Ethics co-hosted the "Title IX Today, Title IX Tomorrow" conference at Stanford University. This one-day conference featured leading policy makers, administrators, scholars, and public officials with the ability to influence the effective implementation of Title IX in the years to come. It included discussions of how to assess gender equity in college athletics, how to increase opportunities for women students and coaches without diminishing them for men, and how to promote change in athletic contexts beyond the intercollegiate setting.
Following the day-long conference, the Aurora Forum presented "Title IX at 35: A Conversation with Billie Jean King" at Stanford's Maples Pavilion. This sports legend and social pioneer entertained and informed the crowd for two hours while answering questions from moderator LaDoris Cordell, Title IX Compliance Officer and Special Counselor to the President at Stanford.
BAWSI in Sacramento
On February 1, 2006, several BAWSI members commemorated the twentieth anniversary of "Girls and Women in Sports Day" with a visit to the state capitol in Sacramento. They spoke at a press conference on the importance of athletics for women and the numerous ways participating in sports enhances their lives. Included in the press conference were BAWSI CEO Marlene Bjornsrud, St. Mary's College soccer coaches Kelly Lindsey and Monica Gerado, and Sharon Clark Kelleher, wheelchair tennis player and member of BAWSI's Athlete-Advisory Council.
"In 2006, it is still apparent that the full aspirations of women in sports are yet to be realized and the full benefits of sports in society cannot be achieved without women," said Marlene Bjornsrud, CEO of BAWSI. "We are serious about building a grassroots effort around women's sports and committed to partnerships with those in leadership, like Assemblywoman Lieber and CAHPERD, who believe in the true value of women's sports."
"The benefits for girls who play sports include increased confidence, higher high school graduation rates, and lower rates of depression, teen pregnancy, and heart disease, to name a few," said Assemblywoman Lieber. "I am pleased to work with BAWSI to make sure we continue to increase opportunities for girls and women in sports."
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