On June 23, 1972 the global movement that has empowered girls and women to compete and excel in sport at all levels was launched with the passage of Title IX. 

I recently had the opportunity to speak about women in sailing as part of Newsy’s week-long tribute to the landmark 50th anniversary of this groundbreaking legislation.

In 1994, I worked with Doug McCormick, then CEO and President of Lifetime Television on sponsorship development for our  America3 Women’s Team. Doug produced Rocking the Boat— Women Race for the America’s Cup and with that the first network sports division devoted solely to women’s sports was born. It was on this project that I also met Brian Donlon, now Executive Producer at Newsy. We recently reconnected after his sterling tribute to Doug, who passed away in May.

While the path to equity in sport is far from over, we have come a long way – thanks to titans of change who stood up to say ‘all girls can play’, ‘women can win’ and ‘I am going to fight for equality.’  Sports legends including Billy Jean King, Donna DeVarona, Lyn St. James, Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, Dawn Riley, Julie Foudy and Rusty Kanokogi blazed trails for women both on and off of the playing field. As we stand on their shoulders, we must support those yet to embark on their path. 

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