Framingham Schools Celebrates 50 Years Of Female Athletes On June 1

FRAMINGHAM, MA - The Framingham High School Athletics Department is hosting an event on June 1 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the law that prevents any education program that receives federal funding from discrimination on the basis of gender, as well as to honor female athletes past and present.

During a speaking program beginning at 5 p.m. outside of the James E. Carey Athletic Center in front of the FHS gymnasiums, current and former members of FHS athletic teams will share what Title IX means to them and will also showcase all of the athletic options available to females in Framingham.

"We are so excited to be celebrating this landmark achievement toward equality in women's sports with our community that has shown such interest and support throughout the planning process,” said Saundra Edwards, Diversity, Inclusion, & Compliance Manager for Framingham Public Schools. “The FHS Athletics Department, FPS Gender Equity Working Group and FPS Office of Equity are confident that this is just the start of our important work."

This celebration of women's equality in sports is open to all community members who wish to attend and will feature remarks from current and former female student athletes. It also will be offered in American Sign Language.

Latoyia Edwards, an Emmy award-winning anchor on NBC 10 Boston and NECN, will be one of the keynote speakers. She is also a former college basketball player and former Miss Massachusetts. Becca Pizzi, a Guinness World Record-holding women's marathon runner, also is a keynote speaker. Pizzi ran seven marathons in seven days on all seven continents. She also is a children’s book author and business owner.

Pre-register for the event using this link.

Event Schedule on Wednesday, June 1:

• 5pm - 5:15pm: Mix and Mingle
• 5:15pm: Speaking Program Begins (also offered in American Sign Language)
  • Introduction: Paul Spear, FHS Athletic Director
  • Emcee: Ashley Paulsen, Assistant Director, FHS Athletics
  • Priscila Sousa, FPS School Committee Chair
  • FHS Student Athletes
  • FHS Coaches
  • Dee King, former member of the FHS Athletic Community
  • Latoyia Edwards
  • Becca Pizzi

Following the speaking program, attendees will be invited into the gymnasium to watch a special video entitled "What Title IX Means to Us," a retrospective of Framingham High School women’s athletics. There will be an opportunity to meet current and former female athletes through a series of team displays highlighting the history of each sport.

“I am honored to be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX with Framingham High School,” said Pizzi. “Title IX revolutionized athletic programs for girls and women.

"But it's not just about the number of females playing sports," she continued. "It's what they get out of participating in athletic events. I will always be thankful for the opportunities provided to me because of Title IX. I'm really looking forward to this event, sharing my story and inspiring the future generations.”

Framingham High School (FHS) athletic teams are representaitve of the richness of diversity in Framingham, according to school officials, and their athletes represent the city on a daily basis throughout the state. For many students, athletics is the motivating factor in better attendance, improved behavior, higher grades, and greater overall participation in their school community.
The school system has an inclusive sports participation policy and waives fees for student participation and engagement.

The mission of the Framingham Public Schools, according to a statement, is to educate each student to learn and live productively as a critically-thinking, responsible citizen in a multicultural, democratic society by providing academically challenging instructional programs taught by highly-qualified staff and supported by comprehensive services in partnership with the entire community.

What is Title IX?
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex or gender in any educational institution that receives federal funding. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

In its beginning, Title IX was known for its impact on athletics because it was successfully used to advance women’s sports. This resulted in many people assuming that this was Title IX’s only function. Then in the early 1990s, the Supreme Court ruled that Title IX’s prohibition on discrimination applied to sports and sexual harassment. Shortly thereafter, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights issued guidelines on sexual harassment that eventually caused a shift in Title IX’s identity.

Now Title IX is mostly associated with sexual assault and sexual harassment. Although it does operate to prohibit and provide guidance on dealing with sexual harassment, that does not encapsulate the essence of Title IX. Like other equity laws, the scope of Title IX has been expanded. For example, today’s Title IX is applicable in cases concerning gender identity and sexual orientation, making it an essential tool against discrimination and harassment of LGBTQ+ community members.