by Dina Lassow, Senior Counsel
National Women’s Law Center
In the term that just ended, women dodged the bullet in several Supreme Court cases involving their rights as employees. But, the fight to preserve women’s rights is far from over. Among other cases you will be hearing about, the Court recently agreed to review a case next term that could limit the constitutional rights of women and girls who face discrimination in education.
You have heard a lot about Title IX here – the law that bars discrimination in schools that receive federal funds. Students and teachers in public schools and universities also have rights under the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits treating the sexes differently unless the school has – in plain English - an awfully good reason for doing so and does it in a careful and considered way.
In the case the Court will hear, Fitzgerald v. Barnstable School Committee, a kindergarten girl claimed that a third grade boy regularly made her pull up her skirt, pull down her underwear and spread her legs on the school bus. Because of the extremely difficult standard for proving sexual harassment under Title IX, the lower courts did not even let her case go to trial. The Court of Appeals for the First Circuit also said that Congress intended the remedies under Title IX to be the only ones she could pursue, and therefore upheld the dismissal of her claims under the Constitution.
Other Courts of Appeals have reached the opposite conclusion – and held that Title IX does not preclude constitutional claims. The only question that was raised before the Supreme Court is which of the Circuits got it right. The National Women’s Law Center will do all it can to help persuade the Court to safeguard women’s and girls’ rights by allowing them to pursue remedies under both Title IX and the Constitution. In some circumstances, the Constitution provides important protections and remedies that are not available under Title IX. And even if there is a little overlap in some situations, that’s never a bad thing in fighting against discrimination.
Hey,
I have an incredible story! A woman named Jenny Mackenzie recently made a documentary about a young girls soccer team. This girls team went undefeated for two years then played in a boys league, so that they could have more competition. Their story is incredible, and the movie itself is very well done. This movie could be very controversial, in that these people let their girls play in a boys league. There are many arguments saying that it is wrong, and yet others say, girls should have just as many opportunities as boys and shouldn’t be discriminated against. These little girls have so much talent in the world of soccer, and all have the potential to become incredible soccer players as they grow up. This movie is all about soccer and the joys of playing the game, the competition, and the spirit of friendship that comes from playing on a team.
The reason this is applicable to your site is because these girls are going against the social norm through their sport, and slowly changing the way society thinks because of their determination to make a stand about what they think is fair and right.
I think that this would make for a really good article topic and it would spark conversation, and I have more information for you whenever you are ready for it. You can also check out their website at www.kicklikeagirlmovie.com.
Thanks,
--
Alayna Ferrin
Public Relations
Cobalt Communications Group
E. [email protected]
Web: http://www.Cobaltcg.com
Blog: http://www.CobaltSocialMedia.com
Posted by: Alayna Ferrin | July 01, 2008 at 04:19 PM