Please forgive the somewhat formal tone in the rest of the post. We just finished writing up the visit report, and rather than re-write the whole adventure, I am just going to cut-and-paste this summary of what became a very exciting day for our team yesterday…
http://www.team116.org/images/2009/OutsideWH.jpg
Outside the West Wing
As part of the celebration of the 37th anniversary of the Title IX legislation, the White House Council on Women and Girls held a roundtable discussion on Tuesday, June 23. Title IX was the portion of the Education Amendments of 1972 that guaranteed equal access to all educational programs for everyone, regardless of gender. This landmark legislation provided equal access to all educational resources for young women all across the country. The effects of Title IX, although most commonly connected with athletic programs, were felt in all aspects of education programs, including the STEM disciplines, career education, and access to scholarships.
Ten female students from FRC Team 116 (Epsilon Delta, Herndon High School and NASA Headquarters) were invited to participate in the event. The girls that attended were recognized by the panel as great examples of the effects of Title IX, and how it opened access to science and math education for young women.
In her opening comments, panelist Dr. Joyce Winterton, NASA Assistant Administrator for Education, highlighted the activities of Epsilon Delta as a competitive team activity that fully involved male and female students equitably, and provided all the positive benefits of both academics and teamwork. During the discussion, the team members were cited by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan as role models for younger female students, and exemplars for student interest in science and technology. Billie Jean King referenced the efforts of the team as she described her love for math, which she discovered when she first analyzed the game of tennis in terms of geometry and basic physics. In summarizing her comments, the tennis champion shouted to the audience “Nerds rule!”
A copy of the formal White House press release for the event is attached below. The entire event was streamed live over the web from the White House web site.
Also, a personal note on how this all happened. The first that we heard about this opportunity was when I got a phone call at 4:45 last Friday afternoon, with the request to identify ten students that could be available to participate in the event. We had to provide the White House with identification of the participants for advance clearance purposes no later than Sunday evening. So we did not get a whole lot of advance notice on this, or much time to get the word out. Since school had just ended and summer vacations were already underway for lots of folks on the team, there were a lot of frantic phone calls to identify ten female team members that were still in town, available on Tuesday, and that we could reach. To the ten young ladies that quickly worked their schedules to be available and help, I thank you profusely. They were great representatives for the team, for Herndon High School, for NASA, for FIRST, and for young women across the country.
------ Forwarded Message
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2009
Valerie Jarrett and Education Secretary Arne Duncan Hold White House Roundtable on Title IX
Today, on the 37th anniversary of the enactment of Title IX, White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and an all-star line-up of women athletes and scientists will hold a roundtable discussion on that key legislation. Participants include Billie Jean King and Dominique Dawes, and 30 local high school aged girls will be in the audience along with several professional athletes and well-known Title IX advocates.
The roundtable will be streamed live on the web both at WhiteHouse.gov/live, and as part of an innovative Facebook application that allows users to both watch the live-stream and be part of an online chat about the roundtable simultaneously. The roundtable will be kept up to date during the event on the comments and questions coming in through the chat, which will take place at this address: http://apps.facebook.com/whitehouselive/. Non-facebook users can also submit their comments and questions at a special comment form that the White House will be monitoring during the event at the standard live-stream address: http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/.
“Title IX represents a major advance not just for women, but for all Americans and for higher education,” said Jarrett, who serves as chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls. “I’m especially proud of our efforts to encourage women to pursue their aspirations in fields in which they have been historically underrepresented such as science and technology. The Obama Administration is working closely with all government agencies to understand how we can elevate issues related to girls in this country. Title IX is integral to that effort and that is why it is so fitting know that any girl can be ready to discover our next cure to cancer, win the next triathlon or become President of the United States.”
“The Administration continues striving to remove the obstacle of gender discrimination and increase access to college and careers for students,” said Secretary Duncan. “The White House Council on Women and Girls and many Title IX advocacy groups play an extremely important role in ensuring fairness and access to education. This work is absolutely critical for the success of our students and for the competitive future of our nation.”
Today’s event honors the work of Title IX advocates over the last four decades and demonstrates the Obama Administration’s commitment to Title IX. Title IX, is the landmark legislation that bans sex discrimination in schools, whether it be in academics or athletics. The law enacted on June 23, 1972 states: “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 education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
------ End of Forwarded Message
http://www.team116.org/images/2009/W_BillieJeanKing2.jpg
Talking with Billie Jean King after the formal presentation
.
