June concluded USC’s extraordinary year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX – the federal civil rights law that was enacted on June 23, 1972. The university’s “Title IX: 50 Years of Progress” provided a retrospective look at Title IX with a dedicated website where the USC community could learn about the impact of the landmark legislation. On the website, and promoted across the university, were the stories of more than 60 trailblazers who made a tremendous impact promoting gender equity at USC and beyond.
“We are extremely proud to have had the opportunity to highlight this inspiring group of USC staff, faculty, students, and alumni, who both personally benefited from Title IX and also contributed to gender equity for others. While this year-long opportunity to reflect on Title IX’s progress so far is ending, the important work to advance gender equity will continue,” shared Catherine Spear, Vice President for USC’s Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX.
Title IX helped reshape the landscape of higher education by paving the way for gender equity in all aspects of a school’s program offerings, from admissions to faculty pay and promotion, athletics and other extracurricular programs, and in addressing sexual misconduct. With Title IX’s passage, any school receiving federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education was expressly prohibited from engaging in discrimination based on sex in its programs and activities.
The USC campaign detailed Title IX’s impact at the university and answered common questions about the legislation and how it informs all aspects of the university’s current operations, services, and policies. Please be sure to check out the campaign and read about our amazing Title IX trailblazers.