Letter from Judith Knee, State Coordinator of National Organization for Women of New Jersey [NOW-NJ] to President Gerald R. Ford Regarding the Implementation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

GENERAL' FA3 of HU2-5 April 28, 1975 Dear Ms. Knee: Thank you for your letter of April 15 regarding Title IX of the Education Amendments. The United States Congress passed this anti-sex discrimination law in 1972, and it is the responsibility of the Executive Branch to prepare regulations to carry out the Congressional intent. The Title IX statute requires the President to approve the Regulation before it becomes effective. Pursuant to that mandate, the Departmant of Health, Education, and Welfare has submitted a revised Regulation to the White House for Presidential approval. You may be assured that your views will be given every consideration. We appreciate your comments and will see that you receive a copy of the final Regulation as soon as it has been approved and published in the Federal Register. Sincerely, Andre M. Buckles Staff Assistant Domestic Council x Ms. Judith S. Knee State Coordinator National Organization for Women FORD : LIBRARY GERALD Y of New Jersey 45 Wedgewood Drive Verona, New Jersey 07044 bcc: Gwen Gregory RECEIVED APR 28 1975 CENTRAL FILES THEW NOW - NJ NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN NATIONAL OF NEW JERSEY ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN 45 Wedgewood Drive Verona, New Jersey 07044 April 15, 1975 The President of the United States Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear President Ford: As State Coordinator of the National Organization for Women of New Jersey, I am writing to protest the athletics section of the Title IX Regulations. The vicious circle that shuts women and girls out of athletic development and partic- ipation must end. The provision that schools may have one single sex team for such "contact sports" as basketball or baseball is unconscionable in the light of recent efforts to open up participation in the Little League. What can reasonably be said to a young woman who wants to play basketball, whose brother plays basketball with the aid of school funds, facilities, and coaches? Under the Title IX Regulations, she cannot even hope that institutions will be required to provide affirmative action efforts in the way of special support and training to offset her limited athletic opportunities in the past. She can- not hope for prompt action to remove discrimination because there are no time limits set within the grievance procedures. We urge you to act positively to amend the sections of the Title IX Regula- tions which exclude girls/women, perpetuate past discrimination, and place ob- stacles in the path of girls/women who seek equal opportunity for physical as well as mental development. Yours truly, Judith S. Knee Judith S. Knee State Coordinator NOW-NJ CC: Congressmen Perkins, O'Hara, Minish Senators Powell, Case, Williams GERALD FORD LIBRARY