“Title IX, the civil rights law signed by President Richard Nixon on June 23, 1972, requires that boys and girls receive equal educational opportunities, including sports, in schools that receive federal funds. Before Title IX, 1 in 27 girls participated in high school varsity sports. Today, 2 in 5 play. Sports scholarships for females, once rare, are more common today. Equally important, playing sports influences the lives of women long after leaving the locker room. In one study, 89% of female executives attributed their business success to participation in sports as youngsters. ‘But it’s the lifelong consequences that are really amazing. Half of all women over the age of 65 have osteoporosis. You prevent it through weight-bearing exercises during puberty. Girls who participate in high school athletics have a far less chance of getting breast cancer for the rest of their lives.’ Nancy HogsheadMakar, winner of three Gold Medals in swimming, 1984 Olympics.” American Profile Magazine 4/12/12
