Women in Cable Telecommunications, espnW and the Women's Sports Foundation Join to Recognize the 40th Anniversary of Title IX

-- '40 FOR 40' Event Will Honor forty of the nation's greatest beneficiaries of Title IX

-- Event Scheduled for Thursday, June 21, at the JW Marriott in Washington, DC

-- Scripps Networks Interactive to Serve as Supporting Sponsor

CHANTILLY, Va., March 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) announced today that it will partner with espnW and the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) to hold an event honoring forty women who have benefitted from the passage of Title IX. The 40 FOR 40 event will be held on Thursday, June 21, at the JW Marriott in Washington, DC.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 requires schools and colleges receiving federal money in any education program or activity to provide the same opportunities for girls as they provide for boys. WSF, with input from espnW and WICT, will select a list of the forty women who have made the greatest impact on society after participating in high school or college sports following passage of the 1972 law. The impact of the designees will encompass several fields of endeavor, including athletics, academics, science, technology, media, medicine and civil service.

The forty women selected will be recognized at the 40 FOR 40 gathering on June 21. In addition, the event will feature keynote presentations and a Power Panel comprised of a number of top honorees. The panel will explore the impact of Title IX as well as the role sports has played in their lives in helping them overcome obstacles and seek new opportunities. In addition to WICT, espnW and WSF, Scripps Networks Interactive will serve as the supporting sponsor of the event. The event will be part of a range of activities each organization has planned surrounding the anniversary of Title IX, including programming, social media and additional educational outreach. 

According to the WSF, Title IX has resulted in growth of girls participating in high school sports from 1 in 27 in 1972 to 2 in 5 today. Title IX has not only made its impact felt in terms of athletic participation, but in educational opportunities for girls and women. According to several studies, the combination of the two has produced significant long-term educational, health and economic benefits for women. On average, those who participated in high school sports received more education and higher wages. Dr. Betsy Stevenson, an economist at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, found that changes created by Title IX explain about 20% of the rise in female educational attainment and up to 40% of the overall rise in the employment of women ages 25 to 34 in the years since passage.  

"We look forward to joining forces to shine a spotlight on highly accomplished women that have benefited from Title IX," said Maria E. Brennan, President & CEO of WICT. "They are leaders in all walks of life, worthy of celebration and emulation on this landmark anniversary."

"Whether women went on to higher levels of athletic achievement or achievement in another field, their participation in high school and college sports has made a significant impact on their lives and indeed on the lives of others," said Laura Gentile, Vice President of espnW. "These inspirational women clearly demonstrate the positive role sports can play in life. espnW is proud to salute them."

"In the forty years since Title IX was enacted, the landscape of the athletic, academic, science/medicine, media, business and political fields has shifted dramatically and positively for women," said Kathryn Olson, CEO of the Women's Sports Foundation. "By gaining equal access to sports, coupled with their access to increased educational opportunities, these women have been able to realize their true potential and many have taken full advantage."

"The link between athletic and educational access for women and the resulting economic impact is a remarkable benefit of this legislation," said Cindy McConkey, Senior Vice President of Communications for Scripps Networks Interactive. "Scripps Networks Interactive is proud to help recognize the contributions women make in all areas."

About WICT:

For over thirty years, Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) has partnered with cable and telecommunications leaders to provide professional development programs, research and services that help advance women in cable media. With over 9,000 members, WICT is the oldest and largest professional association serving women in the cable and telecommunications industry. Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., AMC Networks/WE tv and Suddenlink Communications are WICT's Strategic Touchstone Partners. Please visit www.wict.org or follow @WICT on Twitter for more information.

About espnW:

espnW's mission is to connect female fans with the sports they love and follow. espnW.com provides an engaging environment where women are an integral part of the sports conversation, share their perspective on men's and women's sports and find the motivation and support for their athletic goals and interests. Founded in July 2010, espnW is an emerging business that consists primarily of a digital product suite including pc web, mobile web and social media. Founding partners include Nike, Gatorade and P&G (Venus and Secret). espnW is also supported by a strong social media presence on Twitter and Facebook. The Women's Sports Foundation is the charity of choice of espnW.

About WSF:

The Women's Sports Foundation, founded in 1974, is the leader in promoting sports, health and education for girls and women. With Billie Jean King as its founder and ongoing visionary, the Women's Sports Foundation continues to have a profound impact on female athletics, from its vigorous advocacy of Title IX legislation to providing grants and scholarships, grassroots programs for underserved girls, and groundbreaking research. An agent for change, the foundation has relationships with more than 1,000 of the world's elite female athletes and is recognized globally for its leadership, vision, strength, expertise and influence. For more information, visit www.WomensSportsFoundation.org. The WSF is a proud partner of espnW.

About Scripps Networks Interactive:

Scripps Networks Interactive is a leading developer of high-profile, lifestyle-oriented content for many media platforms including television, digital, mobile and publishing. The company's media portfolio includes popular lifestyle brands HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Travel Channel and country music network Great American Country (GAC). On-air programming is complemented with online video, social media and e-commerce components on companion websites reaching millions of fans around the world.

For press or table/ticket information contact: Kim Pugliese at 703-234-9808 or [email protected].

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SOURCE Women in Cable Telecommunications