Groundbreakers

“I have often been asked whether I am a woman or an athlete. The question is absurd. Men are not asked that. I am an athlete. I am a woman.”

—Billie Jean King

When Title IX was signed into law 45 years ago, I don't think anyone could have anticipated the effect it would have on athletics for women. Debatably one of the most important pieces of legislation in our nation’s history, Title IX was-and still is-groundbreaking.

With groundbreaking advancements comes also comes inevitable limitations. Nearly forty-five years after being enacted, Title IX has created opportunity for women. However the harsh realities of being a woman in a man’s field continue to prevail through federal legislation. What has been credited as the most considerable progress for women’s athletics, has also been criticized for lack of effectiveness.

There are countless moments in history that could be identified as groundbreaking for women in sports, but for me, it all begins with Title IX. To be blunt, I would not be sitting here writing this if it wasn't for Title IX. The numbers do not lie in that the participation levels of women in athletics has increased tremendously. The year before Title IX was enacted there were 310,000 women across America who participated in high and college sports. Today, there are over 3,373,000 women participating in sports in America.

This massive increase in participation is considered by most to prove Title IX’s effectiveness, however, women remain at a disadvantage having 60,000 fewer opportunities than men in the collegiate setting. Since women now make up more than 50% of college undergraduates, they should be receiving an equal cut of the athletic funding. However, the NCAA Gender Equity report found that, women’s teams in 2010 were to be given only 41.1% percent of the money spent on head coach salaries, 36.4% of recruiting dollars, and 39.6% of overall athletic expenses.

The progress towards gender equity on the playing field remains uneven. But it is the women throughout our history who have set the groundbreaking standards of equality. In my opinion, our history presents no greater example of acting defiant to achieve equity other than Billie Jean King.

Always wanting to compete with the boys, King had her first tennis lesson at age 12. Before the world was ready, King took her aggressive net-rushing and hard hitting playing style to the top. By 1973 King as the best female tennis player in the world having won over 30 Grand Slam Titles.

Then came the Battle of the Sexes. One of the most infamous matches in our history (one year after the enactment of Title IX), Billie Jean King was challenged by Bobby Riggs, who at the peak of his career was also ranked number one. In attempt to return to the spotlight, Riggs came out of retirement and began to challenge some of the best female tennis players in the game.

When King was approached to challenge Riggs, she turned him down. Shortly after, the then number one ranked Margaret Court decided to accept Riggs offer with an enticing $10,000 dollar incentive from a CBS television contract. The match between Riggs and Court became known as the “Mother’s Day Massacre.” Before the match, Riggs handed Court a bouquet to honor her on behalf of Mother’s day and then proceeded to crush her in a 6-2, 6-1 victory.

“I didn’t expect him to mix it up like that,” Court told reporters afterward. “We girls don’t play like that.” Thanks Margaret, that doesn't exactly help out our case.

With confidence Riggs refocused on King. This time when she was approached she agreed.

Riggs said, “I’ll tell you why I’ll win. She’s a woman and they don’t have the emotional stability.” The media had a field day, and as more attention was drawn to the match Riggs promised to jump off a bridge if he lost. He also made sure to declare, “women belong in the bedroom and kitchen, in that order.” Fed up with Riggs’ harassing comments, King accepted with the intention to shock the world.

As 30,000 people watched in Houston, and millions more watched on their television sets, King defeated Riggs in three straight sets. And if you are wondering, the chauvinistic pig did not jump off a bridge after he lost.

Inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009, King proved that women could not only compete with men, but also prove to be strong and powerful. She defied what it means to be a strong and dedicated woman. Through public scrutiny and humiliation, King made a name for herself. Unfortunately, King did not see this as a personal victory. “I know that when I die, nobody at my funeral will be talking about me,” she once said. “They’ll all just be standing around telling each other where they were the night I beat Bobby Riggs.”

Although the Battle of the Sexes can be considered evidence of a woman's ability being comparable to the ability of a man, the match meant much more than proving that women could compete in sport. King acknowledged that her victory was not to prove anything to anyone about her abilities. She knew she was the best. Rather it was about the opportunity to ignite social change. She proclaimed that “It would set us back 50 years, if I didn't win.” Which is true. King did more than prove the ability and power of a woman, she sacrificed her body and her reputation to shift the perceptions of conceived gender roles and more importantly started a significant conversation.

It is moments like these in the history of women’s athletics that inspire me. In order to visualize this historic pathway check out the timeline I created in order to identify a few moments in time in this long fight of ours that are important to me. From University of Michigan legends to the birth of varsity water polo for women, this timeline marks some important beginnings.

A way to carry on what these amazing women have done is to continue. Continue to honor them and continue to encourage others to pursue their athletic dreams. Because all groundbreakers in women’s athletics began with a little girl and a dream.

A groundbreaker is defined as one who innovates.

So, who is your groundbreaker, and where will you leave your mark on your timeline?

A groundbreaker is defined as one who innovates.

So, who is your groundbreaker, and where will you leave your mark on your timeline?