Opportunity in Education (Title IX)
Women and girls have long faced gender discrimination when participating in educational programs. NWLC fought for equal rights for these students through enforcement of Title IX.
Enact Title IX Event (1972/1979) by Photo by Joey McLeister/Star Tribune via Getty ImagesNational Women's Law Center
1970s
Title IX was finally enacted with the Education Amendments of 1972, but this did not mean the fight against discrimination was over. When violations were reported, responses to address them were not always prompt.
In 1977, NWLC won a court case for the Women's Equity Action League that was a turning point for timely enforcement of Title IX violations. That same year, NWLC sued the government for Title IX enforcement.
Soccer (2021-07-30) by National Women's Law CenterNational Women's Law Center
2000s
The 2000s saw the 30th anniversary of Title IX, but there was still work to be done. NWLC also sought to help teachers that reported sex-based discrimination.
In the case of Roderick Jackson, he brought to light the disparities between the girls’ basketball team and the boys’ basketball team which resulted in him being fired.
This became Jackson v. Birmingham Board of Education, and it was an unprecedented victory for NWLC. The Supreme Court determined that people who brought to light sex discrimination could not be retaliated against.
Title IX Field Day (2022-06-22/2022-06-22) by Joshua HooverNational Women's Law Center
2010s
Despite 40 years of Title IX, girls’ educations are still being impacted sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and other biases. NWLC has remained committed to holding institutions accountable.
Too many girls are being pushed out of school as a result of unfair discipline practices, sexual harassment, and lack of trauma-informed approaches. NWLC launched Let Her Learn to highlight how harassment and pushout harm girls—especially Black girls—and their education.
Let Her Learn Promotional Video (2017-01-10/2017-01-10) by National Women's Law CenterNational Women's Law Center
Kamala Harris Looking on at Title IX Field Day (2022-06-22/2022-06-22) by Joshua HooverNational Women's Law Center
NWLC has continued to work with families, educators, policymakers, and students to create safer learning environments for girls of every race and ethnicity.
Protect Title IX Video (2020-05-06/2020-05-06) by National Women's Law CenterNational Women's Law Center
Fight Back for Trans Students (2017-02-22/2017-02-22) by Geoff LivingstonNational Women's Law Center
In 2018, NWLC launched Brick by Brick: Building LGBTQ Advocacy, an advocacy curriculum that speaks to the experiences and identities of LGBTQ students of color. This curriculum was a first-of-its-kind project designed to build and inspire current and future advocates.
Protestor Supporting Transgender Equality (2017-02-10/2017-02-10) by Lorie ShaullNational Women's Law Center
2020s and Onward
The early 2020s have seen an increasing number of bills that threaten rights for LGBTQ students. NWLC remains devoted to fighting these injustices in the coming years.
NWLC also has urged the NCAA to adopt policies that protect LGBTQ athletes because the current regulations do not provide adequate protections for these athletes.
Know Your Rights (2022-11-01) by National Women's Law CenterNational Women's Law Center
With right-wing legislators pushing policies that harm student survivors, Black girls, and LGBTQ students, NWLC is fighting back by changing the narrative.
NWLC has produced campaigns like Know Your Rights, Know Your Power–a guide to inform students, parents, and community members of their rights in education.
