New York, NY — Several former college squash players were recognized in the Women’s Sports Foundation‘s 40 FOR 40 list, which recognizes women who made a significant impact on society after playing sports in high school or college. Working in collaboration with espnW and Women in Cable Telecommunications, the Women’s Sports Foundation is celebrating the fortieth anniversary of Title IX, which was enacted in 1972.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 requires colleges receiving federal money for educational programming to provide the same opportunities for females as they provide for males.
Among the forty honorees were two squash players: Kirsten Gillibrand, United States Senator and two-term Congresswoman from New York, and Meg Whitman, CEO of Hewlett Packard and former CEO of eBay. A high school tennis player, Gillibrand learned to play squash at Dartmouth and was co-captain of the team her senior year. Whitman played both squash and lacrosse at Princeton, and the Tigers won three national team titles during her time with the squash team.
From the press release:
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 requires schools and colleges receiving federal money in any education program or activity to provide the same opportunities for girls as they provide for boys. According to WSF, Title IX has resulted in growth of girls participating in high school sports from 1 in 27 in 1972 to about 2 in 5 today. Title IX has not only made its impact felt in terms of athletic participation, but in educational opportunities for girls and women. According to several studies, the combination of the two has produced significant long-term educational, health and economic benefits for women.
The 40 FOR 40 list is comprised of honorees in a wide range of fields of accomplishment including Science – Technology – Engineering – Math (STEM), Sports, Business, Medicine, Law, Arts and Entertainment, among other fields. They include: Christine Brennan (Journalism/Media); Ann Cody (Nonprofit); General Ann Dunwoody (Military); Tina Fey (Arts and Entertainment); Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (Government/Civil Service); Ellen Kullman (Business and STEM); Queen Latifah (Arts and Entertainment); Dr. Condoleezza Rice (Government/Civil Service and Academia); Dr. Dot Richardson (Medicine); Sally Ride (STEM); Robin Roberts (Journalism/Media); Irene Rosenfeld (Business) and Meg Whitman (Business). Below, please find a full list of honorees.
“We are proud to recognize these women and the positive role that the passage of Title IX has played in the lives of countless women and girls,” said Kathryn Olson, Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Sports Foundation, founded by Billie Jean King. “Each has used participation in sports as a step toward making a very significant contribution to society in a wide variety of fields.”
