Slaughter Unveils Legislation To Bolster Title IX, Gender Equity In Education

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (NY-25) introduced the Patsy Mink Gender Equity in Education Act. This bill would provide more resources for schools, school districts, states, and institutions of higher education to fully implement Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender sex in federally funded educational programs and activities. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced a companion bill in the United States Senate. The legislation is named in honor of Congresswoman Patsy Mink, who spent much of her career fighting against gender discrimination and was one of the principle authors of the legislation enacting Title IX.

"Gender bias continues to permeate every sector of our society today. It is having a devastating impact on careers and the research being done every day across the United States. When a woman is not paid the same as a man for doing the same job, it cheats her entire family. Ensuring that all women are given the chance to succeed in life begins with giving them equal opportunities in the classroom. This legislation will provide the targeted resources necessary to combat gender bias in education and help ensure the doors of opportunity are open for our sisters and our daughters. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Hirono on this important bill," said Slaughter.

"The Patsy Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act transformed the educational landscape in our country with an idea that seems redundant today, but was profound at the time: that sex-based discrimination has no place in our schools," said Senator Hirono. "Forty-four years later, Title IX has opened doors for girls and women from access to higher education to sports. But we have more work to do. This legislation builds on Patsy's legacy by expanding resources to see Title IX's mandate through."

The Patsy Mink Gender Equity in Education Act would provide resources, training, and technical assistance to fully implement Title IX and reduce and prevent sex discrimination in all areas of education, including:

Establishing an Office of Gender Equity in the U.S. Department of Education to coordinate activities within the Department and among other federal agencies
Combating discrimination, harassment, bias, and violence based on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions
Supporting Title IX coordinators with annual training
Providing competitive grants to K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, local educational agencies, or states as the primary applicants, with the option to partner with organizations with relevant expertise
Including evaluation and assessment of how applicants improve on indicators of gender equity
Disseminating resources and best practices nationwide

"The Gender Educational Equity Act proposed by Congresswoman Slaughter and Senator Hirono goes far in strengthening the original intentions of Title IX. Gender bias continues to be an issue. GEEA provides the substantive resources needed, and it will be good for all levels of education. It will also insure Title IX serves its original purpose - to promote gender equity in education," said Cynthia Herriott Sullivan, vice president of public policy at the Greater Rochester Area Branch of the American Association of University Women.

"The Support of Gender Educational Equity Act provides critical resources and funding to level the playing field so that everyone can participate in the 21st century STEM economy. I am particularly grateful that this bill directs support to those who face multiple forms of bias and discrimination. This legislation is a welcome addition to our efforts to ensure fair and equal treatment for all, and I commend Senator Hirono and Representative Slaughter for their leadership," said Scott Franklin, Director of the Center for Advancing STEM Teaching, Learning and Evaluation at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

"While we have made great progress in promoting the status of women in education, it is imperative that we create and implement an office solely responsible for ensuring this success continues. That includes keeping our schools safe from sexual assault, providing professors with equal access to teaching positions and promotions, and offering our female athletes opportunities that match those of male students. I want to thank Congresswoman Slaughter for introducing this important bill and continuing to work to expand opportunities for women in Rochester and across the country," said Catherine Cerulli, director of the Susan B. Anthony Center at the University of Rochester.

More than 18 organizations, including the American Association of University Women, the American Federation of Teachers, YWCA USA, and the Human Rights Campaign support the bill.

As the only microbiologist in Congress, Congresswoman Slaughter has long been a prominent voice for eliminating gender biases and promoting the work of women in the sciences. In 2013, she pushed the GAO to audit six federal agencies in which Yale researchers found evidence of gender discrimination.

In September, Congresswoman Slaughter celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the National Office of Research on Women's Health, an office she helped establish after discovering the disconcerting lack of research on women's health issues at NIH. Rep. Slaughter also allocated the first $500 million in federal funding for breast cancer research at the NIH. In 2013, Congresswoman Slaughter was awarded the "Champion of Science" award by the Science Coalition in honor of her strong commitment to supporting basic scientific research. She was also honored with the "Foremother Award" by the National Center for Health Research in recognition of her central role in taking on the central health and science issues of our time.

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