Clinton Hails 25 Years of Title IX, Broadens Its Reach

WASHINGTON — Joined by former astronaut Sally Ride and Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee, President Clinton hailed the 25th anniversary Tuesday of a law barring sex discrimination in schools.

Clinton also broadened the reach of the law, ordering federal agencies to follow it even though some programs aren’t technically covered. The order would apply to schools run by the Defense Department and Bureau of Indian Affairs, as well as the awarding of fellowships and other aid.

“We’re here to celebrate the God-given talent of every woman and girl who has been benefited by it,” Clinton said at a ceremony attended by successful women in occupations from medicine to firefighting.

At Tuesday’s event, the women told stories of life before and after Title IX, which is best known for promoting equality in school athletics but was equally important in opening academics.

“I really didn’t understand why the coach made the long-jump pit in his backyard,” said Joyner-Kersee, winner of six Olympic medals in track and field. She described the ordeal of taking a back seat to boys in sports when she was a child, sometimes being forced to practice at 6 or 7 p.m.

She was 10 when the law was passed, and years later she received a UCLA athletic scholarship.

First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton talked about how she was limited to half-court basketball because a full-court game was considered too stressful for girls. She also remembered how some colleges were closed to her.

Ride, who on June 18, 1983, became the first American woman to fly in space, witnessed Title IX as an athlete and as a scientist.

She played tennis at Stanford University, but had no scholarship.

She also mentioned the growing number of women in the space program. “Things have really changed, and Title IX had a lot to do with that,” said Ride.