NORFOLK, Va., Feb. 1, 2022 – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) celebrates the 50
th anniversary of Title IX, one of the most significant and consequential pieces of legislation in the history of intercollegiate athletics.
Fifty (50) stories highlighting pioneers and monumental moments in MEAC women's sports history, as selected by the conference office and member institutions, will be featured on MEACsports.com, the MEAC's social media platforms and member institutions' digital outlets. Among the stories and individuals to be highlighted:
- Sonja Stills, who on Jan. 1, 2022 became the first female commissioner of the MEAC and the first female commissioner of an HBCU Div. I conference.
- Maryland Eastern Shore bowling, which in 2008 became the first HBCU Div. I program to win an NCAA championship. The Hawks were led by head coach Sharon Brummell, who in total led UMES to five national titles in women's bowling between the NCAA and United States Bowling Congress (USBC).
- Norfolk State graduates Maia Chaka, who in 2021 became the first African-American woman hired as an on-field official in the NFL, and Brehanna Daniels, who became the first African-American woman to work on a pit crew in NASCAR's top three national series (Camping World Truck Series, Xfinity Series and Cup Series).
- Eight combined NCAA individual championships in women's indoor and outdoor track & field (since 2006).
- Charlene Johnson, the first female Director of Athletics in South Carolina State history and the first woman to serve as chairperson of the MEAC's Directors of Athletics.
- Maxine Lewis, the first Sports Information Director in MEAC history upon her hiring at Delaware State in 1978.
Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972 is a federal law that 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 education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."
Per the
NCAA's Title IX page, it applies to all educational institutions, public and private, that receive federal money. Athletics programs are considered educational programs and activities. Though it doesn't apply just to athletics, Title IX ensures equitable participation, scholarships, and other benefits.
The MEAC's celebration begins in conjunction with National Girls and Women in Sports Day, which is Wednesday, Feb. 2, where a virtual 5K and 50-mile challenge will be held. This will be an interactive event to celebrate the anniversary, and participants will have the option to walk, run, swim, row, etc., all at once or spread out.
The 5K will run from Feb. 1-28, and the 50-mile challenge will go from Feb. 1-June 23.
The MEAC's programming will also include partnerships with the Women's Sports Foundation and the YWCA. The partnership with the YWCA will include donation drives at all MEAC championships for the rest of the calendar year – starting with indoor track & field (Feb. 21-23).
Updates on Title IX events will posted throughout the year on MEACSports.com and the conference's social media outlets. The campaign will conclude on Thursday, Dec. 1.
About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) is in its 51st year of intercollegiate competition with the 2021-22 academic school year. Located in Norfolk, Va., the MEAC is made up of eight outstanding historically black institutions across the Atlantic coastline: Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University and South Carolina State University.
About Women's Sports Foundation
The Women's Sports Foundation was established in 1974 to advance the lives of women and girls through sports and physical activity. Their mission is to enable all girls and women to reach their potential in sports and life. They provide financial fuel to aspiring champion athletes, and they fund groundbreaking research. They educate. They advocate. And they help communities get girls active.
About YWCA South Hampton Roads
YWCA is the oldest and largest multicultural women's organization in the world. Since 1908, YWCA South Hampton Roads (YWCA SHR) is dedicated to the fullness of its mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YWCA SHR is a source of strength, courage and empowerment for women and families facing crisis. We are a community catalyst for meaningful change and the advocate for shaping vital impact through quality services responding to the critical needs of survivors of sexual violence and domestic violence. YWCA SHR works across racial, gender, religious and social lines with organizations, partners in all sectors to educate about disparities, advocate for change and provide resources and tools to dismantle oppressive systems.