Weighing Title IX

I knew March was Women's History Month, but for some reason, I did not know International Women's Day also took place on the 8th of March.  I received this tidbit of information from an @Womens_eNews Tweet  about an upcoming event - International Women's Day: Women, Sports and Title IX. I thought this was right up my alley. I would have attended this event, because of topic alone, but I must say the panel was stocked with very influential women, which made me even more excited. Plus it was co-produced by the WNBA.

The Panel included, Kym Hampton, one of the very first WNBA Professional Athletes, Joanne Smith a collegiate athlete now Founder/Executive Director at Girls for Gender Equity (GGE), and Sue Hovey, ESPNW Vice President. These women shared their stories and offered a host of different perspectives of what Title IX means to them, past, present and future. So what is Title IX? Title IX is a portion of the Education Amendments, of 1972, and it 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 educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

Notice there is no mention of women's sports. However, it's direct impact on the subject is how many people have learned about it. Title IX was actually written to give women an even academic playing field, though it also paved a way for women to utilize their athletic ability to further their education and careers.

Title IX's Influence on the Panel

Kym Hampton was the first to touch upon, how her access to sports changed her life. Kym was meek and shy because she was always tall for her age. It was her career path in the sports industry, that allowed her to stand beautifully in front of a group of women and talk with confidence and ease.  I wouldn't use meek as an adjective to describe the Kym Hampton of today.  But how could she not develop, with the experiences she could realize through sports? For instance, she left her hometown to play for Arizona State.  She then traveled overseas to continue her career, only to return to America to break history, completing the very first jump ball with Lisa Leslie as a professional WNBA player. Now, she helps to organize a grass roots approach to spread the word about the WNBA, and The New York Liberty. Learn more about Kym at www.KymHampton.com.

Joanne Smith was also a College Athlete, for the division two Bowie State.  However, she talked about how she was a first generation Haitian immigrant who  received a basketball scholarship when her peers were not graduating. She has realized in hindsight, after moving to New York, that if she lived in New York, she would have been a "Stoop Girl," hanging on the corner and not thinking about furthering her education. She realizes this is reality for many residents in the community where she founded Girls for GenEquity (GGE), which promotes physical, psychological, social and economic well-being of girls, women and ultimately, the entire community. She also co-wrote the book, Hey Shorty! A Guide to Combating Sexual Harassment and Violence in  Schools and on the Streets.

Sue Hovey, did not play college basketball, but she did play in High School.  She talked about how Title IX has allowed foreign athletes to come to America to play sports. She also spoke about the new ESPNW channel, and how 2012 was the Year of the Women. She is happy with the direction ESPNW is taking with a very diverse staff, and a separate site dedicated to Title IX. ESPN has found a growth area in women, and now they are working on finding out how to capitalize on key moments and market the women's sports industry.

There is still a fight for Title IX

As I mentioned before, many people associate Title IX with sports, though there are ten areas in which it covers including: Access to Higher Education, Career Education, Education for Pregnant and Parenting Students, Employment, Learning Environment, Math and Science, Sexual Harassment, Standardized Testing and Technology.  As of today, thousands of schools are still not in compliance with this law. Here is a quick review of cases under Title IX.

Title IX has helped to change the lives of millions of women across the globe, and there is still a cry for more.  As Kym Hampton sung to the group of women celebrating International Women's Day, "We've only just begun...." Title IX and the enforcement of Title IX definitely Weighs a Ton, it's a Priority!

Weighing Title IX
Submitted by: Jamees Wright

Weight Total: 1 Ton Priority

Weighing Speaking Things into Fruition an Eli Manning Story...

If you are into football, you heard about it. A question was asked, and an answer was given. Eli Manning was asked, "Do you feel you are an elite quarterback, in the same class with Tom Brady?" He answered back with what I have always thought as the most acceptable answer, "“I consider myself in that class,” Manning said assuredly.

What other answer should we have expected from Eli? Should he have said that he doesn't quite match up, should he have said he wasn't elite? When you are asked your worth, do you shoot for the stars or do you aim for the trees? What if Eli Manning had said he wasn't elite, would he be a second time Super Bowl MVP today? I think his chances would have decreased significantly.  For how can you bring forth greatness if you don't believe it exists in you?

One of the aspects of believing in yourself, I was taught by my older brother Anthony, at a very young age in reference to basketball.  He told me, "Jamees if you practice hard, and know that you have practiced harder than anyone else, it is easy to believe you deserve to be on the court, that you deserve to take the last shot, that you deserve to say you are one of the best players."  What many people do not know about Eli is how hard working he is beyond practice, how he works with his receivers beyond the call of duty.  This is how he was able to win a second championship with a different set of receivers, and how he constantly helps to make a name for unknown receivers.  It is the practice and the hard work that allows you to believe and speak things into fruition. 

However practice is behind the scenes, and so many do not see this side of greatness.  So instead my younger brother Jerome and I scoped the backlash Eli received for answering this question honestly.  He received snickers from panelists, hands thrown up in disbelief, and angry comparisons spewing out of the mouths of nonbelievers. He was even discredited for the Super Bowl championship he already won. (In my opinion, there was no need for that.) But this type of feedback happens, especially when you believe in yourself when others are not quite convinced.  This happens when you dare to write history in advance when others can not see it. This happens when you speak things into fruition.

Eli Manning wrote history, he created a story and he became to everyone else what he already knew he was an Elite Quarterback.  Not only that, he did it in a way that proved that his first Championship was not a fluke. And while I mentioned the word fluke, let me clearly define it as an accidental advantage, stroke of good luck, a chance happening. All those who have won a Super Bowl, and have attempted to win any competitive game knows that a bit of luck is definitely involved underneath a skill set. However, in the NFL playoffs, when you are battling the best of the best in one of the most competitive games out there a fluke happening could only help so much.

A fluke could be defined as Baltimore missing a kick that would have sent them into overtime, allowing The Patriots to participate in this year's Super Bowl. However, a fluke is not a game winning drive when a touchdown is needed. No matter how you twist and turn that scenario, skills had to be involved. I say all that to say this, for those who thought it was a fluke before, they were able to see what a fluke could not produce which is a repeat winning drive for a touchdown to win the Super Bowl against the Patriots.

I love Brady, and his second lost to Eli Manning doesn't take away from his elite status.  But what it does, is confirm Eli Manning's place right beside him.  Many play on Eli's name, saying you can't spell Elite without Eli, but my favorite play on words is the fact you can't spell Believe without Eli. 

I learned a lot from Eli this year, I learned what it truly means to believe in yourself when others don't.  I learned to speak the truth about who I believe I am and perhaps it can come true. Thanks a lot Eli Manning and the NY Giants for a fantastic, fantasy year, that was in no way a fluke! And for helping me to learn that Speaking Things into Fruition is worth a ton, a serious priority for all.

Weighing Speaking Things into Fruition
Submitted by: Jamees Wright

Weight Total: 1 Ton Priority

Weighing REVEAL Volunteering

Last week I had the pleasure to volunteer at the REVEAL VALENTINE'S MAKEOVER EVENT!

REVEAL is a grassroots movement in New York City that aims to foster uplifting experiences for women healing from domestic violence. 

And that they did!  This group of volunteers, helped to pamper these women who were unfortunately, cruelly taken advantage of at least one time in their lives. 

These handpicked women were pampered with free jewelry, skin care, outfit(s), makeup, hair styling and more! It was one day for them to feel like a queen.  They were also given gift bags to be admired by the stars, filled with items from Revlon, Maybelline, Fructis, Avon and more!

As a host throughout the event, I transferred 4 women from station to station. Each woman was different, and dealing with their struggles in their own unique way.  However, they shared an appreciation for the event, an uplifted spirit within their journey and a smile that I will remember forever.

All that said, I believe what gave me the most joy, was watching the volunteers. These volunteers gave 100%, they worked as a team all for the benefit of others. This is what I admired the most and is the vision that I hope will encourage others to volunteer at a charity of their choice. Give 100% and make others happy, even if it's one day at a time!

 

Weighing REVEAL Volunteering
Submitted by: Jamees Wright

Weight Total: 600lbs Good Decision