In preparation for our Bad-A** Women in Sports panel October 28, I've taken a look at espnW's summer series called "Nine for IX." In honor of the 40th anniversary of Title IX, espnW worked with ESPN Films to recreate the series 30 for 30 but this time focusing on women athletes through the eyes of female filmmakers (Cingari).
The series aired from July 2 to August 27, 2013 with topics ranging from the story of legendary basketball coach Pat Summit to the 1999 World Cup Champion soccer team, ending with an exploration of the overarching question: will women ever reach equality with their male counterparts in sport? As Laura Gentile, vice president of espnW, put it, they "are spotlighting the athletes, coaches and teams that have defined women's sports for a generation" (Cingari). The series includes in-depth looks at role models such as Mia Hamm, who was actually born in 1972, the same year Title IX was enacted. At age 15 she was the youngest national team player in U.S. history, and won two World Cup titles and two Olympic medals ("Top 40"). Superstars like Mia Hamm, Pat Summit, and many more still influence young girls to this day to participate in sports and lead an active lifestyle. Similarly, Iris Magazine, brought to you by the University of Virginia Women's Center, is putting on a panel on October 28, 2013 at noon with the purpose of showcasing women’s achievements in athletics. Prominent female U.Va. faculty members, such as Julie Myers, will speak about their own experiences in sport as well as the women who served as their role models throughout their careers. We are excited to give the deserving recognition to these women in the U.Va. community who have helped define women sports here during the past generation and to celebrate the lives of their role models who still impact lives of women today. Written by Emily Lloyd Cited: Cingari, Jennifer. "Press Release." ESPN MediaZone. ESPN, 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 01 Sept. 2013. "Top 40 Athletes of the Title IX Era." Mia Hamm. Sports Illustrated, n.d. Web. 06 Sept. 2013.
