Act Like a Lady but think like a Man

Before you get too sad about our McLean girls softball team's loss last night I think it is best to reflect on how far we have come as Americans, athletes, and women.

Here' a great quote to chew on this morning with your breakfast and coffee:

"We are all familiar with the stereotype of women as pretty things who go to college to find a husband, go on to graduate school because they want a more interesting husband, and finally marry, have children, and never work again. The desire of many schools not to waste a 'man's place' on a woman stems from such stereotyped notions. But the facts absolutely contradict these myths about the 'weaker sex' and it is time to change our operating assumptions." - Sen. Birch Bayh, (D-IN) on why he supported Title IX in the early 1970's.

Here's a quick review of Title IX from the U.S. Department of Education's website:

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities which receive Federal financial assistance.

Title IX states that: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

Frankly, without Title IX I suspect our McLean girls softball team would never have been in the game.  Title IX ensured girls had a fighting chance to be on an athletic field and feeder organizations sprouted all over our nation to send quality women athletes to universities. 

It ensured moms like me were able to play sports as a young girl and be raised in an environment where it was a good thing to play competitive sports, understand the importance of winning and more importantly losing with grace and dignity. 

Sports ensured I learned to act like a lady and think like a man.  And, for that I will be forever thankful.

Fall is just around the corner - What are you doing to ensure the girls in your life are getting involved in sports?