'Title IX Was Life-changing'

Beach volleyball champion Misty May-Treanor on her path to Olympic gold and the opportunities made possible by Title IX

- By Misty May-Treanor

I LOOKED BACK AT WHERE my whole journey started and the words Title IX kept popping into my head. It’s the movement that helped progress women’s sport. And it’s one that opened the door for me to pursue my dream.

As a young girl, I wrote a report about sports and had to interview my one living grandmother, on my mom’s side. I learned that she couldn’t participate in some sports, which were considered too grueling for girls. In some instances, they didn’t even offer girls sports.

Now, as an athlete, it’s hard to fathom the idea of not being introduced to sports, let alone allowed to play, or that sports weren’t offered because of your sex. My grandmother eventually picked up tennis and, along with my grandfather, had three children, who all picked up a racket and competed in that sport.

The tennis gene would carry on through that side of the family and unfortunately or fortunately, I was the only one not to play. My grandmother was always worried about my choices of soccer (it was too rough) and volleyball (too hard on the body), but most of all she questioned how I would make a living playing those other sports.

Fast forward to 2000, though, and there I was making such a living. My first sponsorship and prize money allowed for my first significant investment—a house in Long Beach, California. It’s too bad she never saw this happen, but I know she is so proud and looks down on me daily along with my late mom.

How times had changed. Title IX allowed for that investment and afforded me opportunities some women in my family never had.

A Family Affair