In Brief

Title IX Report Card
The National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education (NCWGE) recently published Title IX at 30: Report Card on Gender Equity, which examines trends with regard to the inclusion of women and girls in ten key areas. The overall conclusion of the report is that Title IX has been essential to ensuring girls and women's access to opportunities and success in education; however, barriers to full equality remain. For more information or to order a copy of the report visit www.ncwge.org or call 202-758-7793.

Title IX Commission
In June 2002, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Paige announced the establishment of the Commission on Opportunity in Athletics (Commission) to "collect information, analyze issues, and obtain broad public input directed at improving the application of current federal standards for measuring equal opportunity for men and women, and boys and girls to participate in athletics under Title IX." The Commission will recommend to the Secretary, in a written report, whether those standards should be revised, and if so, how the standards should be revised. The Commission will also recommend other steps that might be taken to improve the effectiveness of Title IX and to maintain and build upon the extraordinary progress that has resulted from its passage 30 years ago. The Commission has held four Town Hall Meetings in Atlanta, Chicago, Colorado Springs, and San Diego. On December 4 and January 8 the Commission will meet to discuss and focus on the Report. www.ed.gov/inits/commissionsboards/athletics/index.html.

My Strength Is Not for Hurting
Armed with the novel idea that rape is not a women's problem, the DC-based advocacy group Men Can Stop Rape, launched its Strength Campaign in February 2001, by publicizing five posters with the tag line: "My Strength is Not for Hurting," targeting young men in Washington, DC. The posters were accompanied by a handbook for teachers and a mini-magazine targeted to high school students that explored healthy relationships and different ideals of masculinity. The group has a new poster campaign to specifically target college students that they hope to launch in Spring 2003. The Men Can Stop Rape approach provides women with a visible ally in fighting violence against women. Pat McGann, Director of Outreach, says: "Risk reduction alone will not stop the problem of violence against women, and we are part of a growing group of men who say 'enough.'" For more information visit, www.mencanstoprape.org

Patsy Takemoto Mink
Congresswoman Patsy Mink (D, HI) died on Saturday, September 28 in Honolulu at age 74 after battling viral pneumonia for more than a month. In 1964, Mink, an Asian American woman, was the first woman of color elected to Congress and was a champion for woman's rights throughout her career. Mink served in Congress from 1965 to 1977 and from 1990 until her death. Mink is best remembered for her role creating and securing passage for Title IX, the landmark legislation mandating equal opportunity for women in higher education. At a celebration honoring Mink, members of Congress stressed that the best way to honor her memory is for people to elect individuals who support Title IX and other legislation insuring equal opportunity for all. On Tuesday, October 29, President Bush signed a resolution renaming Title IX as the "Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act." The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Fund for Low-Income Women and Children has been established in honor of Congresswoman Mink. Donations can be sent to the fund at P.O. Box 479, Honolulu, HI 96809.