Celebrating Fifty Years of Title IX

Norma Carr at The Utah Sports Hall of Fame.

One sentence signed into law by President Richard Nixon 50 years ago forever changed education and sports in America: “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 educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

Salt Lake Community College is a co-sponsor of a special exhibit at The Utah Sports Hall of Fame celebrating the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX on June 23, 1972. The exhibit features 10 pioneers in the state of Utah who paved the way for and worked to implement this historic law.

“This landmark legislation established competitive equity, removed barriers for women and girls, and created new and greater opportunities in athletics, education and professional careers,” says the Hall of Fame’s past president Norma Carr.

Norma, whose legacy includes 25 years as athletic director at Salt Lake Community College, says, “These pioneers faced challenges head-on and worked, over, under, and through many obstacles in their journey to provide equal opportunity for their players.”

Norma Carr at SLCC softball game

“People paid the price,” says Norma, and it’s important for people to know these stories because the evolution of Title IX continues today. “People need to know how to fight,” she says. “Each champion’s profile tells a story of courage, determination, tenacity and the humility to do the right thing.”

In addition to Norma Carr from Salt Lake Community College, the exhibit features Fern Gardner from the University of Utah and Utah State University, Elaine Michaelis and Lu Wallace from Brigham Young University, Carol Westmoreland and JoAnn Otte from Weber State University, Kathryn Berg from Southern Utah University, Enid Enniss from Brighton High, Leila Ogden from Orem High and Shirley Allen from Cottonwood High School.

“All those who have benefited from the tenacity and commitment of Title IX pioneers and champions owe these women a debt of gratitude for opportunities they could only imagine,” says Norma.

The exhibit will run through the end of June at the Utah Sports Hall of Fame, located on the northwest corner of the City Creek Mall. Admission is free, and the museum is open Monday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Validation for parking is available to guests for up to two hours in the City Creek garage.