Experiencing the Exhibit Title IX: Activism On and Off the Field

When I took four teenagers into the NY Historical Society’s Exhibit on the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, I was apprehensive. This was the kids’ first time in New York City and everything was brand new. However, upon entering the exhibit, there was an air of energy, excitement and hope. They felt it too.

Title IX: 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.

Title IX: Activism On and Off the Field commemorates the 50th anniversary of Title IX, an addition to the Education Amendments Act of 1972 that fundamentally reshaped American society by prohibiting discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal assistance. Title IX is only 37 words, but it revolutionized efforts for women in federally funded schools. Sexual harassment was now a topic for discussion and reporting and resources were available. Sports needed to be available equally to men and women.

As my group walked around, they read about Take Back the Night demonstrations over the last 30 years. They saw the jerseys of inaugural WNBA players. They read about two college students who mapped sexual harassment claims around the country. Soteria Solutions contributed to the exhibit providing social media images with tips for how to be a bystander.

These teens live in a world of change. They know reproductive rights are threatened. They know colleges do not yet offer equal resources for men’s and women’s sports. They know workplaces continue to be challenging and employees face incivility and aggression. They know the Equal Rights Amendment was never passed.

But they also see the consistent message that women will continue to lead and fight the injustice. Athletes like Nzingha Prescod will open the door to encourage future athletes. Leaders and activists like Soteria Solutions’ President and Co-Founder, Jane Stapleton, who witnessed the muted reaction of campus authorities and would go on to revolutionize prevention efforts on college campuses, high schools and workplaces.

My teenage daughter told me, as we left the exhibit, “It was amazing to see all these women who paved the way for us today and exciting to see what we will add to the movement someday.”

Jennifer Scrafford is the Vice President of Operations at Soteria Solutions.