ECA’s Virtual Discussion on Gender Equity in Sport Featuring Sports Icon Billie Jean King

April 20, 2022


On April 18, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) hosted a virtual panel discussion on gender equity in sport, as part of its year-long programming around the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the United States’ legislation that afforded equal opportunity for women in education and sport.  

Billie Jean King, the first female athlete to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom and LIFE magazine’s one of the “100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century,” headlined the panel with Katrina Adams, Vice President of the International Tennis Federation. Ms. Adams was the first African American to lead the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the first two-term Chairman and President of USTA. She was the first former player to hold that honor. The panel was moderated by Dawn Porter, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and executive producer of the film “37 Words”. The film was made for ESPN’s initiative “Fifty/50” and provides an in-depth look at the progress and challenges associated with Title IX implementation.  

Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield opened the discussion by welcoming participants from around the world. She highlighted the importance of Title IX and the impacts, both past and future, it had and will have for generations of women. Dawn Porter’s exceptional storytelling abilities helped frame the conversation by examining opportunities for women athletes in a pre- and post-Title IX world.  As a champion for women’s equality, Billie Jean King discussed the challenges she faced in leveling the playing field for women in tennis.  She continues to be a leader in the ongoing fight for gender equality by advocating for women’s equal pay and challenging women to understand the business side of sports. Katrina Adams offered a unique perspective as a beneficiary of Title IX. She attended Northwestern University on an athletic scholarship and continues to mentor and provide opportunities for the next generation of leaders in women’s tennis through her work at the International Tennis Federation. 

Participants from around the world posed thought provoking questions to the panelists which ranged from safe sport to the role of sport in changing the perception of women in society.  As a result of the panelists contributions to society, there has been a dynamic shift and an increased number of women stepping into leadership positions and feeling empowered to use their voice to add value to the sports world. 

ECA programs create space for discussion around key foreign policy issues such as gender equality and highlight the State Department’s commitment to advancing the rights and participation of women and girls in sports around the world.

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