CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY CELEBRATES GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SPORTS WEEK

Jan 30, 2003
Contact: 
Janice Rocco - Phone: (916) 319-2035

This year’s theme is ‘Succeed in Sports, Lead in Life’

On Monday, February 3, 2003, Assemblymember Hannah-Beth Jackson (D – Santa Barbara), Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus and Co-Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Title IX, will present ACR 13 and host a press conference to urge all Californians to celebrate and take part in California Girls and Women in Sports Week.

Assemblymember Jackson has introduced Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 13 declaring the week of February 2nd through February 9th as Girls and Women in Sports Week in California. The celebration is part of the 17th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day that is dedicated to the positive influence of sports and fitness participation and advances the effort for equality and access for women in sports. This year’s theme ‘Succeed in Sports, Lead in Life’ is dedicated to the importance of maintaining a strong Title IX. It has been demonstrated that women athletes frequently become women leaders.

Title IX, the Federal law guaranteeing girls and women equal opportunities in education has recently come under review by President Bush who has established a Commission on Opportunities in Athletics to draft proposals to alter the 30-Year old law that has opened the door to athletic opportunities for girls and women. The Commission’s report with recommendations is scheduled to be released in February. Women’s rights advocates are concerned that the Bush Administration intends to weaken Title IX.

A 10:00 a.m. press conference in the Governor’s press conference room 1190 of the State Capitol will precede the 11:00 a.m. Assembly floor presentation. Press conference speakers include Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson, athletes Edna Campbell from the Sacramento Monarchs and LaKeysia Beene from the San Jose CyberRays, as well as representatives from the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, the California Interscholastic Federation, the California Commission on Athletics and a representative from the CA National Organization for Women which has worked on Title IX compliance issues for over a decade.