The National Women’s Law Center--Protecting Title IX to Advance Girls' Economic Opportunity

Title IX of the Education Amendments is usually in the news for its powerful role ensuring athletic opportunity for girls and women. But Title IX is about more than sports. Title IX states:

"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."

The National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) was founded in 1972, the same year that Title IX was enacted.  The Center’s goal is to ensure that Title IX and other key civil rights laws make real improvements in the lives of women and girls. Over the past 30 years, NWLC has been involved in every major battle over Title IX. This fight continues. Young women still face serious inequities, especially in career and vocational education, making it hard for girls to prepare for economic independence. 

• When a young woman is advised by a high school counselor not to pursue a career in automotive technology, she loses the opportunity to achieve lasting economic security. 
   
• When a student is harassed and drops out of school because school administrators do not address the complaint, she is denied the knowledge and skills she needs to launch her career. 

NWLC's enforcement of Title IX helps young women get the education they need for economic self-sufficiency.

In November 2004, NWLC's important Title IX case, Jackson v. Birmingham Board of Education, was heard by the Supreme Court (see 3GF News). The Supreme court ruled in Jackson’s favor in April 2005. This decision reaffirms that individuals are protected from punishment when they protest sex discrimination.

Since 2002, Three Guineas has invested $82,000 in the National Women’s Law Center to support its efforts to expand educational and economic opportunities for young women and girls.

To learn more about the National Women's Law Center's work, or to make a donation, please visit: http://www.nwlc.org/ or contact Talia Bilodeau at tbilodeau@nwlc.org or (202) 588 5180.

Back to Spotlight Page