Random Thoughts about Woman's Rights in 1969-1971 :

It is my recollection that in 1971 there were no organized female sports teams for basketball, volleyball, softball, soccer or track in NEISD.  When we were in high school there was no state funding for woman's sports teams and competitions. For some curious reason Tennis was an exception, and it was offered to us for participation at MacArthur. (?) - The tennis team, dance, flag twirler teams, and cheerleading were the only 'sporty-physical activities' we were allowed to compete in at school in that day and time.  

Do you remember that all this began to change for young woman and we were the last class to attend MacArthur before the ERA law was ratified?  We were living in the pre-dawn era of women moving toward equalization.  

 The ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the Constitution was passed by Congress, and the Title IX of the Education Amendments enacted on June 23, 1972 declared:  

 " No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied and benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance…."

  When I made MAC varsity cheerleader for my upcoming junior year I was told after I made cheerleader that I had to quit the varsity tennis team.  I had worked so hard to achieve my varsity tennis spot as a sophomore and had won my rightful place on the tennis team, but Tankersley told me to give it up.  I hated the day that I had to tell my tennis coach that I had to quit the varsity team because the school's rules (or Tankersley's) would not let me do both cheerleading and tennis. That rule did not exist for the boys and they could participate in multiple sports and activities at school.  

 For those of us (women) that went from high school to college, I felt as if we were only encouraged to pick a career from about 3-5 traditional majors in college in 1971.  Did anybody else feel that way too? 

   I am so thankful that our daughters have had the many choices that they have today in education, sports, jobs, etc.  

-   Jenice Graham Benedict

 Wow, didn't realize you had to give up the tennis to be cheerleader, Denise.  That had to have been hard, but it has led you to be the enlighted woman you are today. We have definitely come a long way.  

I also remember feeling limited by choices for a college major.  I think I would have enjoyed physics at Mac, but was steered away.  As a nursing major at TCU, I was challenged, but the major did feel like the best fit for me at the time.  Ron & I were married between my junior & senior years at TCU.  My senior year was easier because I wasn't dating anymore, and I had his emotional support and encouragement.  He also typed my papers for me, that year, a real bonus!

I believe 1971 was also the first year Texas A & M that admitted women that were not spouses of current students.  I had considered vet school, but did not want to be a trailblazer at A & M.  

It is great that our daughters, and granddaughters have so many more opportunities.

We do still dream of the day that every woman, everywhere, will have the freedom to explore all her gifts, not just motherhood.  There is so much left to be discovered in each of us, even in those of us that are G-mas now. :)

As being the first "male" to jump into this, I was a surprised that Jenice was told to give up the Tennis as well.  I had no idea! And, that is a bunch of BS also!  But as you all have said, it was just the way it was back than, and what could a bunch of High school kids do? 

I never really investigated it much back then but I always wonder why the girls didn't have more sports teams as well.  My family was from Iowa, and my mother and I used to go back there about every 18 months to visit family members of both my mom and my dad.  When back there, I noticed that Iowa had several sports for girls.  The Girls Basketball championship is a really big deal in Iowa.  Now days the games are televised state wide. 

Also interesting was that I can remember my Dad talking about his sisters being very good athletes.  My aunts were playing girls sports in Iowa back in the 20's and 30's.  So I always wondered why Texas didn't have much to offer.  When at Lamar taking some education courses, all the text books referred to studies done in Iowa on this subject or that subject I was amazed at how much Iowa was leading/influencing the education programs in Texas.

I am also glad about the opportunities that our children have today, as I have two daughters, and they have very different interests.  The youngest was always taking weight training classes in HS, and wanted to get into kick-boxing of all things!  She now is working with kids in trouble at one of the county youth homes.  She enjoys her job and wanted to get into a field where she could use her degree in Criminal Justice.  Change is slow, sometimes  VERY SLOW!

 Just remembered that girls at Mac could also be on the swim team (& diving?).

Ah-h-h yes,yes, thank you Mandy.... There was swim team as well as tennis offered in our senior year.  How could I forget ?  I stand corrected on that.  

Also, I remember there was some sort of after-school hours volleyball that started for women in our senior year but it was not part of the school's curriculum for a grade. 

Commenting on Bob's thoughts - You are right, Bob.  Many northern high schools offered some sports teams for women.  Also, a lot of small towns offered basketball for girls here in Texas.   

All I know is that the athletic girls of our time missed-out on a lot of physical activity, leadership, and scholarship opportunities in our day and time.  I for one know that I would have been been gunning for a track college scholarship if I had had the opportunity to compete in that sport in high school. 

And Bob,  it is good to hear from the male side. - FYI , ... I have been kick boxing for 10 years.  It is the very best exercise someone can do.  I love it  like your daughter does !  ;)

- jenice graham benedict

I remember our women's swim team. They were incredible. They had won 7 straight state championships at the time. I wonder how long the streak lasted. The club water ballet team, with both Lee and MacArthur swimmers, was 3rd ranked in the nation - behind Santa Barbara and San Fransisco teams as I recall. Can you tell where I hung out ???

The ERA passed Congress in 1972, but unfortunately was not ratified by the necessary 38 states by the July 1982 deadline. It was ratified by only 35 states. I remember my homeroom teacher Mrs. Huddleston had to leave school because she was pregnant. Thank goodness my daughter could still work pregnant. In fact, her students were surprised that she got married before she got pregnant!

We did have 1 girl on the golf team. And we had a girl's volleyball team. It's really terrible Jenice that you couldn't stay on the tennis team.

As far as career counseling, I don't think girls had ANY. 

Mandy, I'm not sure if you would have enjoyed taking Physics at MAC. I did and I remember not liking the teacher Mr. Campbell at all. In fact there were a few - not sure how many - guys who did not graduate in May because they flunked physics.