Title IX Timeline
Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 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.”
Although the legislation had implications in athletics, the scope of Title IX applied to schools, local and state educational agencies,
and all Department funded institutions, as they were required by law to carry out their functions in a nondiscriminatory manner.
1840
Seneca Falls Convention
In 1848, the Seneca Falls Convention convened in New York; it was the first women’s rights convention. Participants signed the Declaration of Sentiments, which stated that “all men and women are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (art. VII, sec. 1, cl. 2). The article outlined gender inequality and advocated for an expansion of women’s legal rights and civic engagement.
1860
National American Woman Suffrage Association Founded
In 1869, the National Woman Suffrage Association was founded in the United States by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
1880
Wimbledon Tennis Championship Includes Women
In 1884, women participated in the Wimbledon Tennis Championship for the very first time. The development of the Ladies’ Singles competition marked an expansion of women’s sports on the international level. England’s 19-year-old tennis sensation, Maud Watson, beat her sister, Lilian, in the championship by winning all three sets.
1900
Women’s Participation in Olympic Summer Games
In 1900, women participated in the II Olympic Summer Games in Paris, France for the first time. There were 22 women (out of 997 athletes) who competed in tennis, sailing, croquet, equestrian, and golf.
National Women’s Day Observed in the U.S.
The Socialist Party of America campaigned for the creation of a day to celebrate women’s contribution to American society, which was eventually realized in 1909 with the inaugural National Women’s Day.
1910
International Women’s Day Celebrated
In 1911, the first-ever International Women’s Day was celebrated by a number of European countries and the United States. Although the movement wasn’t organized by any specific group, it was inspired by the U.S. National Women’s Day in 1909.
First International Congress of Women Organized
In 1915, the first International Congress of Women was held at The Hague in the Netherlands. More than 1,200 delegates from 12 countries met to discuss international conflicts at the time and founded the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.
1920
19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Ratified
On August 18th, 1920, women gained the right to vote in the United States under the 19th amendment. The amendment barred U.S. citizens from being “denied or abridged [the right to vote] by the United States or by any other State on account of sex” (U.S. Const. Amend. XIX). It was not until years later, however, that African American, immigrant, and Native American women (and men) would obtain the right to vote.
Inaugural Women’s Olympiad
In 1921, the first international women’s sports tournament, the Women’s Olympiad, was held in Monaco. The week-long competition consisted of 10 events (running, high jump, long jump, standing long jump. javelin, shot put, basketball, gymnastics, pushball, and rhythmic gymnastics), and featured 100 participants from France, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Women Participate in the Olympic Winter Games
In 1924, women participated in the inaugural Olympic Winter Games for the first time. Eleven women competed out of 258 athletes but were only allowed to participate in figure skating.
Women’s Cricket Association Founded
In 1926, the Women’s Cricket Association was founded in London, England. Referred to as “The Association,” the organization expanded from its original mandate regulating the sport in England to encompass the game internationally, which led to the 1958 formation of the International Women’s Cricket Council.
Expansion of Women’s Participation in Olympic Summer Games
In 1928, women athletes at the IX Olympic Summer Games accounted for nearly 10% of participants (277 women out of 2,883 competitors).
1940
Commission on the Status of Women
In 1946, the United Nations (UN) established the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Resolution 2, article 11 of the UN Security Council states that the Commission’s primary functions are to “prepare recommendations and reports to the Economic and Social Council on promoting women’s rights in political, economic, social, and educational fields”, and to “make recommendations to the Council on urgent problems requiring immediate attention in the field of women’s rights.” In effect, the establishment of the CSW emphasized women’s empowerment within matters outlined in the Commission on Human Rights.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
In 1948, the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This was the first international agreement saying that there are basic rights that apply to every human being.
1950
European Rowing Championships
In 1954, the European Rowing Championships introduced women’s rowing races. The women’s races were shortened to 1,000 meters, half the length of the men’s races, and featured competitors from 14 countries across five events.
International Women’s Cricket Council
In 1958, the inaugural meeting of the International Women’s Cricket Council convened. The development of the International Women’s Cricket Council was a major step towards ascertaining global relevance for women’s cricket and also paved the way for the establishment of the Cricket World Cup in England in 1973.
1960
Inaugural Paralympic Games
In 1960, the inaugural Paralympic Games were held in Rome, Italy. Forty-five out of the 209 participants were women who represented 15 out of the 17 countries.
Women’s Olympic Winter Games Participation Increases
In 1960, female athletes at the VIII Olympic Winter Games accounted for nearly 20% of participants (144 out of 665 competitors).
International Women’s Softball Tournament
In 1965, the first international women’s softball tournament was held in Melbourne, Australia. The softball championship was the first of its kind, and teams from the USA, Japan, New Zealand, and New Guinea traveled to Australia to compete for the title of world champion. Following a base hit by Australian player Elinor Mckenzie, the Australians secured the championship win over the USA.
1970
Title IX Signed Into Law
In June of 1972, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 was signed into law by U.S. President Richard Nixon. The amendment 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 assistance.” Although the legislation had implications in athletics, the influence of Title IX extended to schools, local and state educational agencies, and all Department funded institutions, as they were required by law to carry out functions in a nondiscriminatory manner.
Battle of the Sexes
In 1973, a tennis match known as the Battle of the Sexes between champions Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs was played in Houston, Texas. King defeated Riggs, which created momentum for the women’s movement of the 1970s.
U.S. Open Offers Equal Prize Money
In 1973, the U.S. Open became the first tennis tournament to offer equal prize money for men and women winners.
Inaugural Women’s Cricket World Cup
In 1973, the first cricket Women’s World Cup was held in England. Seven teams participated: Australia, England (champions), New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Young England, and the International XI.
First World Conference on Women
In 1975, the UN hosted the First World Conference on Women in Mexico City, Mexico. This resulted in a World Plan of Action to be implemented over the next decade as 1976-1985 was declared the National Decade for Women: Equality, Development, and Peace.
UN Adopts Women’s Bill of Rights
In 1979, the UN adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Commonly referred to as the “Women’s Bill of Rights,” this convention defines the meaning of discrimination against women.
UN Women: Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
1980
Women’s Weightlifting World Championship
In 1987, the first women’s weightlifting World Championship was held in Daytona Beach, Florida. American weightlifter, Karyn Marshall, swept the field of over 100 athletes from 22 countries to become the International Weightlifting Federation’s first female world champion.
1990
First Woman Elected to International Olympic Committee
In 1990, Flor Isava Fonseca was elected to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board as its first female member.
UN Women: Flor Isaac-Fonseca Elected to the Executive Board of the IOC
Olympics Must Include Women for New Sports
In 1991, the IOC decided that any new sport added to the Olympics must include women’s events.
First Women’s Rugby World Cup
In 1991, the first Women’s Rugby World Cup was played in Wales. Twelve countries participated, as the United States beat England, 19-6, in the final.
First Women’s Soccer World Cup
In 1991, the inaugural Women’s Soccer World Cup was held in China. Twelve countries participated, as the United States beat Norway, 2-1, in the championship match. In addition to a host of female soccer players from around the world, the event was also momentous for women’s participation in sport officiation, as six female referees were appointed for the first time in history during the inaugural women’s championship.
Declaration on Elimination of Violence Against Women
In 1993, the World Conference on Human Rights was held in Vienna, Austria. This led the UN to adopt the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The resolution was universally adopted by all members of the UN and formally recognized the “urgent need for universal application to women of the rights and principles with regard to equality, security, liberty, integrity and dignity of all human beings.”
Brighton Declaration Established
In 1994, the International Working Group on Women and Sport established the Brighton Declaration. This international treaty was designed to support the ongoing development of a more fair and equitable system of sport and physical activity, fully inclusive of women and girls.
Olympic Women and Sport Working Group Established
In 1995, the International Olympic Committee established the Women and Sport Working Group to advise on policies in the field of gender equality.
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action Adopted
In 1995, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most progressive international blueprint for advancing women’s rights, was adopted by 189 UN Member States at the Fourth World Conference on Women. Individual countries also created their own National Action Plans for concrete ways to implement the Declaration.
IOC World Conference
In 1996, the first International Olympic Committee (IOC) World Conference on Women and Sport took place in Switzerland. The attendants of the conference passed the Lausanne Resolution, which ensured that all special committees within the International Federation and National Olympic Committee are composed of at least 10% women.
2000
UN Security Council Adopts Resolution on Women, Peace, and Security
In 2000, The UN Security Council adopted the Resolution on Women, Peace, and Security (S/RES/1325). This resolution recognized the power of women in peacekeeping and preventing conflict.
Women’s Leadership in the Olympic Movement
In the Paris Agreement of 2000, the IOC decided that the Olympic Movement must “reserve at least 20% of decision-making positions” for women within their structures by the end of 2005. The agreement was a continuation of the 1996 Lausanne Resolution, which encouraged inclusion of women in matters of sports legislation.
2010
UN Women Created
In 2010, the UN general assembly created the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women). The creation of the UN Women was an effort on the part of the UN general assembly to commit to carrying out the charter’s previously established goals related to female empowerment.
UN Women: Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
Olympic Winter Games Have 40% Female Participation
In 2014, female athletes at the XXII Olympic Winter Games accounted for 40% of participants (1,043 out of 2,566 competitors).
Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration on Women and Sport
In 2014, the Brighton Declaration became the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration on Women and Sport, which outlined 10 principles designed to promote gender equity in sport.
2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals Adopted
In 2015, the United Nations acknowledged the importance of sport in global development and in empowering women and girls when it adopted the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The 2030 agenda specifically noted the “growing contribution of sport…to the empowerment of women and young people, individuals, and communities as well as to health, education, and social inclusion. objectives.”
Olympic Summer Games Have 45% Female Participation
In 2016, female athletes at the XXI Olympic Summer Games accounted for 45% of athletes (5,059 out of 11,238 competitors).
International Federation Gender Equality Forum
In 2016, the IOC’s first annual International Federation (IF) Gender Equality Forum took place in partnership with the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).
Global Women’s March
On January 21, 2017, 670 demonstrations were held on seven continents to support gender equality and civil rights. The march was only scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C., but “sister marches” arose throughout the United States and around the world. It is estimated that 5 million people participated in the marches, the largest global march in support of women’s rights in history.
Gender Equality Review Project
In 2018, the IOC approved the Gender Equality Review Project. The project aimed to “push gender equality globally and produce action oriented recommendations for change.” The project’s recommendations span across five broad categories: Sport, Funding, Governance, Portrayal, and Human Resources.
First Ever Gender-Balanced Olympic Event
In 2018, the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina became the first gender-balanced Olympic event.
MoU for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women
The first-ever memorandum of understanding (MoU) between FIFA and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) was signed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo‑Ngcuka.
2020
CBF Announces Equal Pay for Men and Women
In 2020, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced equal pay for the men’s and women’s national teams.