That’s us. Difficult and proud to be.
Since the passage of Title IX legislation in 1972, we’ve blazed trails, rooted our cleats in the clay, and anchored ourselves on the mountaintop.
Over the past 50 years, stats show women’s participation in sport has increased by more than 1000% at the high school level and more than 600% at the college level.
The USWNST takes on the world of soccer as Megan Rapinoe captains the winningest soccer team in history in their gritty fight for equal pay. The most dominant figures in tennis are women (Black women and women of color, to be specific), the WNBA slam-dunked its 25th anniversary with steady year-over-year growth in viewership, and Dierdre Wolownick — mother of Free Solo Star Alex Honnold — just scaled California’s infamous El Capitan rock formation. Twice. And just for reference, she’s 70.
But Title IX impact reaches far beyond the world of sport. We meet every opportunity out there with every muscle on the line. We’re difficult women making bold boardroom decisions and unprecedented courtroom wins, and we’re navigating the quieter gains too. Like the hard conversations we tackle with our families and the small miracles we pull off — the ones that chip away at household disparities to show our daughters and sons what equality for women looks like close to home.
Perhaps we’re most difficult in our fierce determination — our vulnerability and accountability — to take up space for each other.
So, about that fierce determination. Let’s have it. In the name of the legislation that cracked open the door for women in sport (and beyond), we’ll see you back out there.
Difficult “women” has me reeling this week as I look upon the photos of Lia Thomas and the 2nd & 3rd place medalists. I’ve always looked to Title XI not only as a clothing specialist but a great advocate for the legislation behind its name. The words in this blog edition has me wondering how does Title XI react to this new feat in women’s sport? While I’m glad that Lia is living their true self, what about those other women in sport? I appreciate and value the women who blazed the trail for sport and am ever so thankful I got to a part of sports in school and university levels but are we supposed to be ok with non biological women competing in womens sports?
It is reassuring that Title IX uses physically fit women in their pictures & catalogs. It is discouraging that Sports Illustrated now HAS to have fat sloppy looking women in their swimsuit issue. I feel the same about other brand websites where the images explode: fit, fit, fit, FAT! I can’t buy THAT dress: Look what it does to you…! It’s a cry for help that the average size for women is 18-20. Our nation’s population is 70% overweight & moving in the wrong direction. Terrible! Destructive! It amazes me that the Boston Marathon sells out. Where do that many fit people come from?!? If T9 becomes “more inclusive” in their sizing, why call it “sportswear?” I would reconsider ever ordering again since I would not want to see such a catalog. What can anyone do to pull our population back into better sizes? What motivates good health? Athleticism is at the top of the spectrum followed by fitness & wellness. I need to see that it matters! Please Title IX, do not include the unmotivated fat women. Just maybe…your wonderful clothes can be a goal to someone who needs to improve on her abilities inside & out.
Would you suggest that those despicable fat women run around naked until they are fit and perfect like you? Or should they wear recycled potato sacks to atone for their sins? What a garbage comment.
Many women who are physically fit do not fit into a size 14 or pants with an inseam of 32″. You speak about motivating–body shaming is not motivating, and obviously your comments would lead many to think that the last thing you want to see is a female whose body type does not meet your “criteria” for physical fitness (which are superficial and laughable, TBH). Fitness is not just about physical appearance. My comments were meant to encourage T9 to do what many other companies are already doing, which is offer inclusive sizing. We are all built differently, and companies that offer sizing options for all of us will motivate everyone to get out there and do what we love to do in clothing that we feel good in. Now THAT’S motivating.
I agree that participation in womens’ sports has increased dramatically, and we all benefit from seeing our sisters compete and succeed. Our daughters and nieces will reap the benefits of this in years to come. I also applaud T9’s commitment to women in business and I always enjoy seeing the participants in your annual Pitchfest–you’ve given a lot of needed visibility to some badass ladies!! However, one thing I feel is sorely lacking from Title Nine is a commitment to provide more inclusive womens sizing. So many other companies (many smaller than T9) have made this commitment, providing clothing in petite, tall and plus sizes. This insures that ALL women have the clothing they need to get out there and do the wonderful stuff we all do! I’m tired of looking for pants and shorts on your website and only finding inseams of 32′ and sizes that go only to 14. The average sized woman in the US is 18-20. Say what you will about that, but the fact is that many very active, very healthy women do not fit into the sizes you offer. I really hope that one of T9’s goals for 2022 and beyond is to join so many other companies (whose clothing you sell, like Prana for instance) who have recognized the need to provide sizes for ALL women, not just the lovely, active (and thin) women you use as your models.