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Bernice Sandler and the Fight for Title IX
In 1969 Bernice Sandler was finishing her doctorate in Education at the University of Maryland, teaching part-time at the university, and trying to secure a full-time position. Despite her excellent credentials, it became clear she wasn’t even being considered. But why? she wondered.
“Let’s face it,” a male colleague said, “you come on too strong for a woman.”
Those fateful words brought sex discrimination home for Sandler. Facing it herself, front and center in her own workplace, meant she could no longer be ambivalent about women’s rights. She could no longer buy the media coverage of feminists as “man-hating,” “abrasive,” and “unfeminine.” But what could she do? Sandler soon discovered that none of the obvious laws prohibiting discrimination covered sex discrimination in education. Sandler's work led to the passage of Title IX—making it illegal, once and for all, for a federally funded institution to discriminate against someone based on their sex, including in education. This had a profound effect for women in the workplace, in school, and in sports.
Bernice Sandler and the Fight for Title IX that drives home the message that it doesn’t take a person with power to make a difference. More often, it takes determination. When confronted with injustice, regular people can effect change. Also includes extensive backmatter about How To Be an Activist written by Know Your IX , a survivor- and youth-led project of Advocates for Youth that aims to empower students to end sexual and dating violence in their schools.
“Let’s face it,” a male colleague said, “you come on too strong for a woman.”
Those fateful words brought sex discrimination home for Sandler. Facing it herself, front and center in her own workplace, meant she could no longer be ambivalent about women’s rights. She could no longer buy the media coverage of feminists as “man-hating,” “abrasive,” and “unfeminine.” But what could she do? Sandler soon discovered that none of the obvious laws prohibiting discrimination covered sex discrimination in education. Sandler's work led to the passage of Title IX—making it illegal, once and for all, for a federally funded institution to discriminate against someone based on their sex, including in education. This had a profound effect for women in the workplace, in school, and in sports.
Bernice Sandler and the Fight for Title IX that drives home the message that it doesn’t take a person with power to make a difference. More often, it takes determination. When confronted with injustice, regular people can effect change. Also includes extensive backmatter about How To Be an Activist written by Know Your IX , a survivor- and youth-led project of Advocates for Youth that aims to empower students to end sexual and dating violence in their schools.
- GenresBiography
144 pages, Hardcover
Published May 10, 2022
About the author
Jen Barton
8 books14 followersI grew up in Pennsylvania and spent most of my life in the East. In 2007 my family and I moved to California. With two cars my husband and I moved two dogs, two guinea pigs, a cornsnake, and our 10-year-old daughter across the country (whew!). The five-day road trip (including a near escape by both dogs on Day 3) was one of my best (and most interesting) experiences ever. In fact, I'm not sure why that isn't a book yet...
A few years later, after an especially boring day in the car (where the kids and I told stories and built characters instead of griping), I found writing again. Fiona Thorn was born on that day, and I’ve been writing ever since. :)
A few years later, after an especially boring day in the car (where the kids and I told stories and built characters instead of griping), I found writing again. Fiona Thorn was born on that day, and I’ve been writing ever since. :)
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 29, 2022
While taking a glance at the life and work of Bernice Sandler surrounding Title IX and the fight against discrimination, this book goes beyond that and offers ideas to stimulate more thought.
The style is informative and, yet, causal enough to keep 'heavy' reading at bay. It begins where Bernice Sandler's problems with discrimination truly began (or when she really noticed what was happening) and builds from there with only light touches on her childhood and earlier years as needed. Only those important moments are visited, which really mattered in her fight or realizations, and that also kept this from bogging down with facts, which break away from the main theme. It's easy to read, simple to understand, and pointed to make sure the reader doesn't grow bored.
And this is so much more than the history of Bernice Sandler and Title IX. There are sections, which give deeper explanations to help the reader understand the background or effect on modern situations. There are suggestions on how the reader can conduct their own interviews, research, social observations, writing Congress, and so on...all of which are encouraged to hit whatever topic or direction the reader sees fit. It simply tries to teach the process and encourage thought. There are also definitions, examples to help understand historical settings, and so much more. The history of Bernice Sandler doesn't really take up even half of the pages.
The author makes it clear how broad reaching Title IX is and explains how it is still a very modern topic, influencing many aspects of society today...which addresses current events as well. This does expand into the areas of sexual harassment and the LGBTQ community, explaining how they influence and are influenced by Title IX.
While this works well as a book, for those wanting to discover more about the topic, it also invites to be used in groups or as an extra addition to discussions. I received an ARC and was surprised how much more this book is than just a biography.
The style is informative and, yet, causal enough to keep 'heavy' reading at bay. It begins where Bernice Sandler's problems with discrimination truly began (or when she really noticed what was happening) and builds from there with only light touches on her childhood and earlier years as needed. Only those important moments are visited, which really mattered in her fight or realizations, and that also kept this from bogging down with facts, which break away from the main theme. It's easy to read, simple to understand, and pointed to make sure the reader doesn't grow bored.
And this is so much more than the history of Bernice Sandler and Title IX. There are sections, which give deeper explanations to help the reader understand the background or effect on modern situations. There are suggestions on how the reader can conduct their own interviews, research, social observations, writing Congress, and so on...all of which are encouraged to hit whatever topic or direction the reader sees fit. It simply tries to teach the process and encourage thought. There are also definitions, examples to help understand historical settings, and so much more. The history of Bernice Sandler doesn't really take up even half of the pages.
The author makes it clear how broad reaching Title IX is and explains how it is still a very modern topic, influencing many aspects of society today...which addresses current events as well. This does expand into the areas of sexual harassment and the LGBTQ community, explaining how they influence and are influenced by Title IX.
While this works well as a book, for those wanting to discover more about the topic, it also invites to be used in groups or as an extra addition to discussions. I received an ARC and was surprised how much more this book is than just a biography.
October 30, 2022
E ARC provided by the publisher
Like many women born in 1928, Bunny Resnick was faced with many obstacles, from not being able to be a crossing guard in elementary school to being told she wasn't being hired because she "came on too strong for a woman". She was able to graduate from Brooklyn College with a degree in psychology, and eventually earned a doctorate, but found it hard to find jobs. Her frustration led her to discover a 1968 change to a section of 1965 Civil Rights legislation that included laws about gender discrimination. Armed with this, and with the legal help . "I was the director of Department of Labor's office of federal contract compliance, Vincent Macaluso. She started to compile statistics and research, and eventually contacted Rep. Edith Green, who chaired the subcommittee that dealt with higher education. All of this work eventually lead to Title IX, but that was just the beginning. Getting schools and universities to comply with the new laws was difficult. One big sticking point was the expense of providing equal opportunities for women. Since it's adoption, Title IX has made it possible for women to have far more opportunities in education and sports, and in recent years has been expanded to include protection against sexual harassment as well as the protection of LGBTQIA+ individuals in educational settings. Sandler worked for twenty years with the Project on the Status and Education of Women at the Association of American Colleges, and passed away in 2019. Additional information on how to do research and interviews is included, along with more information about Title IX.
Strengths: I've read quite a bit about Title IX, and I still learned a lot of things! While I was not surprised at the challenges Sandler faced, my students will be appalled, and gain a new understanding of how women used to be treated. I wsa so impressed with how Sandler found a problem and worked tirelessly to address it. The amount of documentation she amassed was helpful in getting Title IX started and adopted; without this work, it's possible we still wouldn't have this kind of educational protection. The narrative had a good balance between her private life and her public work, some pictures and supporting information. This is a perfect read for middle school students who can't begin to imagine a world where a woman doesn't get hired because "we already have one woman in the department".
Weaknesses: I need to take another look at this in a hard copy, since I wasn't able to annotate the E ARC. While the sections on doing research are well done and interesting on their own (I did, in fact, look up who our district's Title IX compliance person was!), I wish those had been an appendix instead of scattered throughout the text. That's mainly because I was so engrossed in Sandler's story that I didn't want to stop reading about her.
What I really think: I need an "ERA NOW" button, and am probably buying two copies of this excellent title to have on hand for students for pleasure reading as well as research. This is an essential book to have in any middle school collection, along with an updated edition of the late Karen Blumenthal's Let Me Play.
Like many women born in 1928, Bunny Resnick was faced with many obstacles, from not being able to be a crossing guard in elementary school to being told she wasn't being hired because she "came on too strong for a woman". She was able to graduate from Brooklyn College with a degree in psychology, and eventually earned a doctorate, but found it hard to find jobs. Her frustration led her to discover a 1968 change to a section of 1965 Civil Rights legislation that included laws about gender discrimination. Armed with this, and with the legal help . "I was the director of Department of Labor's office of federal contract compliance, Vincent Macaluso. She started to compile statistics and research, and eventually contacted Rep. Edith Green, who chaired the subcommittee that dealt with higher education. All of this work eventually lead to Title IX, but that was just the beginning. Getting schools and universities to comply with the new laws was difficult. One big sticking point was the expense of providing equal opportunities for women. Since it's adoption, Title IX has made it possible for women to have far more opportunities in education and sports, and in recent years has been expanded to include protection against sexual harassment as well as the protection of LGBTQIA+ individuals in educational settings. Sandler worked for twenty years with the Project on the Status and Education of Women at the Association of American Colleges, and passed away in 2019. Additional information on how to do research and interviews is included, along with more information about Title IX.
Strengths: I've read quite a bit about Title IX, and I still learned a lot of things! While I was not surprised at the challenges Sandler faced, my students will be appalled, and gain a new understanding of how women used to be treated. I wsa so impressed with how Sandler found a problem and worked tirelessly to address it. The amount of documentation she amassed was helpful in getting Title IX started and adopted; without this work, it's possible we still wouldn't have this kind of educational protection. The narrative had a good balance between her private life and her public work, some pictures and supporting information. This is a perfect read for middle school students who can't begin to imagine a world where a woman doesn't get hired because "we already have one woman in the department".
Weaknesses: I need to take another look at this in a hard copy, since I wasn't able to annotate the E ARC. While the sections on doing research are well done and interesting on their own (I did, in fact, look up who our district's Title IX compliance person was!), I wish those had been an appendix instead of scattered throughout the text. That's mainly because I was so engrossed in Sandler's story that I didn't want to stop reading about her.
What I really think: I need an "ERA NOW" button, and am probably buying two copies of this excellent title to have on hand for students for pleasure reading as well as research. This is an essential book to have in any middle school collection, along with an updated edition of the late Karen Blumenthal's Let Me Play.
August 29, 2023
Something that really strikes me about this book is towards the end when it asks readers to think about what it was like BEFORE Bernice created Title IX and compare it to how womxn/bipoc people are treated today. It’s staggering to see such a regression, despite there being steps in the right direction. It makes me sad to see so much work being undone. It’s staggering.
This was great to lead all about Title IX, its many nuances, and Bernice Sandler, as well as those who helped along the way. I also enjoyed the practical ideas at the end of each chapter to get readers involved and help them understand their rights.
This was great to lead all about Title IX, its many nuances, and Bernice Sandler, as well as those who helped along the way. I also enjoyed the practical ideas at the end of each chapter to get readers involved and help them understand their rights.
June 5, 2022
Both informative and inspirational, this biography of Bernice Sandler (aka "The Godmother of Title IX") belongs in every middle school library. The writer does an excellent job of establishing the historical context that led to the 1972 federal civil rights law, while also making it relevant to today's reader. The photos and illustrations (by Sarah Green) help bring the narrative to life. For young activists eager to make an impact, but not sure how to get started, Bernice Sandler can show them how!
November 23, 2022
A biography that is also full of ideas of doing your own activism and how to affect changes on your own. The details of the 1970's fights for women's rights must seem like ancient history, but the more current details should help concentrate the reader's attention.
November 23, 2022
Very respectful of young readers. Equips them with information, research ideas and process tips, and how to take action. Sandler's narrative is interwoven with helpful contextual information that enhances the reader's understanding of society at the time.
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May 22, 2022I had a lot of trouble reading this eARC PDF on two different devices (it took an extremely long time to turn each page) so that affected my enjoyment of the book.
This was a really great mix of a biography with information about Title IX and how it changed discrimination in education in many different ways. I enjoyed the sections that encouraged readers to learn more, and that clearly showed historically sexist thought and how Title IX can be used to protect people from it today.
I think it would be an excellent addition to a school library for its content as well as its length and extra content. Working in a Canadian public library I don't think I'll add it to my collection, but I'm glad I read it.
This was a really great mix of a biography with information about Title IX and how it changed discrimination in education in many different ways. I enjoyed the sections that encouraged readers to learn more, and that clearly showed historically sexist thought and how Title IX can be used to protect people from it today.
I think it would be an excellent addition to a school library for its content as well as its length and extra content. Working in a Canadian public library I don't think I'll add it to my collection, but I'm glad I read it.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews