Washington, D.C.

Thank you, Maya. I know your parents are so proud of you—today and every day. I love that she is going to be a doctor.  

And thank you, Billie Jean. As a tennis player, you inspired so many women to be fearless in pursuit of their dreams—and you continue to do that through your work today. 

It’s so wonderful to be here at the home of the Mystics and accompanied by so many sports legends. Thank you to the Department of State and ESPNW for bringing us together today. I’m inspired by all of you.   

Now, like Maya, I’m a runner—though I’m sure I’m not nearly as fast! So, as we gather to celebrate fifty years of Title IX, I’m thinking about a picture that was taken of Kathrine Switzer five years earlier in 1967. She was the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon, and at the time, many people couldn’t imagine that women were capable of running 26 miles.  

When she began the race, people started shouting and cursing at her. And then one of the organizers ran onto the course and tried to push her off of it.  

In the black and white photo, she’s mid-stride, her eyes worried but determined, while a man in a suit pulls at her sweatshirt from behind—a face of the sexism trying to hold her back.  

Kathrine finished that race and she made history.  

I was a teenager at the time, and it’s incredible to see how much has changed in just my lifetime.  

For 50 years, Title IX has created space for girls and women to be more. To be bigger and brighter, stronger and smarter, more courageous and more capable.  

And just look at the legacy it created. It’s all around us today.  

Here in the United States, millions of girls have grown up able to play sports—to build self-reliance and self-esteem, to learn teamwork and leadership. They’ve been able to get the scholarships that put college within their reach.  

Our schools have created opportunities for women to learn, and safe spaces that help them fight back against discrimination and sexual violence.  

These things no longer feel revolutionary. We take them for granted—because they are our right.  

Today, we have more women attending college, and finding career success, and holding office than ever before. Not to mention, that our country is home to a group of some of the finest women athletes and Olympians in the world.  

And the ripples of this law have not stopped at our borders. The State Department’s Global Sports Mentoring Program has empowered girls thousands of miles away—and I’m so grateful for everyone who makes that program possible. Sports are an international language that can create a dialogue and new opportunities. This work matters.   

Now, we’re not done yet—there is still progress to be made to ensure everyone, including our LGBTQ community, is protected.  

But today, we celebrate 50 years of incredible progress. 

Title IX has created generations of athletes—but it’s not just about sports.  

It’s made our schools and colleges become more fair, equitable places to learn—but it’s not just about education.  

Title IX is about who we are as a nation. It’s a promise that, in America, we believe that every girl deserves every opportunity—today and for decades to come.   

Thank you so much.

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