Institute Hosts Town Hall on Gender Equity and Sport
Photo: David Schmitz
[ISSSSC] San Jose State鈥檚 Institute for the Study of Sport, Society and Social Change hosted Words to Action: Gender, Sport and Society, a town hall at Hammer Theater Center in downtown San Jose.
Following remarks by ISSSSC Interim Director and 91猎奇 Professor Ted Butryn and 91猎奇 President Mary A. Papazian, renowned sport sociologist Harry Edwards, 鈥�64 Sociology, 鈥�16 Honorary Doctorate, gave a thought-provoking address framing the dialogue for the event.
鈥淲omen historically have proven their physical and mental strength. That is undeniable,鈥� Edwards said. 鈥淚t is time [for change] because women and girls鈥� lives matter.鈥�
Marshall University Professor Kat Williams moderated the first panel, 鈥淭aking the Field鈥擳railblazers in Sport,鈥� telling the panelists that 鈥淸women] need to understand that they have shoulders to stand on. One way to do that is for you to continue telling their stories.鈥�
鈥淭railblazers in Sport鈥� panelists included Olympic gold medalist swimmer and co-founder of the American Basketball League Anne Warner Cribbs, Basketball Hall of Famer and NBA/WNBA executive Ann Meyers Drysdale, Olympic fencer and President of Valencia College鈥檚 East and Winter Park campuses Stacy Johnson, 鈥�80 Public Relations, and Marie Tuite, San Jose State鈥檚 director of intercollegiate athletics. They shared their perspectives on the impact of Title IX on their lives and on sport in general.
鈥淭itle IX is not a women鈥檚 sports law,鈥� said Meyers Drysdale. 鈥淚t has become the mantra for women in sports because the bottom line is opportunity.鈥�
Olympic medalist swimmer, attorney and CEO of Champion Women Nancy Hogshead-Makar gave an informative keynote address on protecting and empowering athletes through the law, including Title IX. Following Hogshead-Makar鈥檚 keynote, she invited to the stage Brenda Tracy, founder of Set the Expectation, for a moving and deeply personal conversation in which both women were frank about the impact of their experiences as survivors of sexual violence.
Photo: James Tensuan, 鈥�15 Photojournalism
Through her Set the Expectation campaign, Tracy, who went public with her own story of sexual assault in 2014, works with coaches and educators to encourage proactive dialogue about sexual violence.
鈥淲e need to talk to men in positive terms and tell them men are the solution,鈥� Tracy said. 鈥淚f women could stop sexual violence, it would be done already.鈥�
Spartans Football Head Coach Brent Brennan and players from 91猎奇鈥檚 football team attended the event, a day after Tracy spoke with them and players from 91猎奇鈥檚 men鈥檚 basketball team.
鈥淭his is such a powerful event,鈥� said Brennan. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important for our guys to hear the discussion. Treating people with respect is one of our team鈥檚 core values.鈥�
San Francisco 49ers General Counsel Hannah Gordon moderated 鈥淏eyond the Field鈥擮pportunity and Empowerment,鈥� the event鈥檚 second panel that included two-time Olympic gold medalist, WNBA Hall of Famer and author Ruthie Bolton, Endeavor Executive Vice President Karen Brodkin, Olympic silver medalist and sideline reporter for the San Jos茅 Earthquakes Danielle Slaton, and 49ers Assistant Coach and former pro football player Katie Sowers.
Photo: David Schmitz
The panelists discussed how women have moved from athletics to leadership positions in sport, sharing personal experiences and advice for current and future athletes and leaders.
鈥淥ur good stories and bad stories empower young girls,鈥� said Bolton. 鈥淲e need to remind these girls: you can turn your pain into power.鈥�
There鈥檚 great power in student-athletes. They can come together and move mountains.
Stacey Johnson, who recently joined the ISSSSC advisory board, captured the heart of the event and a core goal of the institute: 鈥淭here鈥檚 great power in student-athletes. They can come together and move mountains.鈥�
By Rodney Knox | March 14, 2018
