Today, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon participated in the "Her Game, Her Legacy" event held in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The gathering marked the 53rd anniversary of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act, originally enacted on June 23, 1972.
The Independent Women's Forum (IWF) hosted the event. It included speeches from Secretary McMahon and IWF Vice President of Communications Victoria Coley, along with former New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez. Athletes and coaches such as Payton McNabb, Linnea Saltz, and Kim Russell also spoke at the event, as did parents from New Mexico.
The event is part of a broader initiative by the U.S. Department of Education to recognize June as 'Title IX Month.' This effort aims to honor women's rights to equal educational opportunities.
“Today, we’re honoring the 53rd anniversary of Title IX and the incredible resilience of female athletes who are standing up and pushing back against the harms of gender ideology," said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. She emphasized that "the Trump Administration is putting a stop to the madness that was allowed under the previous administration.” McMahon expressed gratitude toward those supporting this cause: “Thank you to the athletes, parents, and advocates who are fighting alongside us. We will not let up, and we will not let you down.”
Payton McNabb, IWF Sports Ambassador, shared her appreciation for Title IX's impact on her sports career: “I’m forever thankful I had the opportunity to compete because of Title IX." She added her commitment to continuing advocacy for fairness in sports: "We are moving in the right direction, but there is still much to be done!”
In conjunction with 'Title IX Month,' two investigations were announced by the Department into University of Wyoming and Jefferson County Public Schools in Colorado concerning alleged violations related to male participation in female-only spaces.
Additionally, an investigation into Minnesota's education authorities has been elevated to a special team involving both federal education and justice departments. This action follows reports involving a male athlete participating in a girls’ high school softball match which led Champlin Park High School to a state championship victory.
Title IX regulations prohibit sex-based discrimination in any federally funded education program or activity.
