Disparity in Sports

In spite of tremendous advances for girls in the area of sports, since the passage of Title IX in 1972, urban girls, in particular, are left behind. Only a third of urban girls are involved in some form of athletics, compared to 50% of suburban girls. And, unfortunately, in some families, although boys are able to pursue sports, girls are often relied on to help out at home, with cleaning and babysitting. Here's a look at one team's struggle to keep going in the Bronx.

She Hits Like a Girl

This past Sunday, Hannah Berner ended her season 16-2 after playing her final match for the Beacon High School team. A feat made all the more remarkable by the fact that she was playing with and competing against boys.

Hannah Berner is used to being one of the guys. During half of her junior and for her entire senior year at Beacon HS, she has played on the Blue Demons' boys tennis team because the school doesn't have a girls squad.

Here is a great piece about how she beat the odds and helped Beacon capture their third city title in 4 years.

Inspirational!

Gender Bender

We attended the New York premiere on Tuesday, May 26 of STRAIGHTLACED: How Gender's Got Us All Tied Up, the latest film from Debra Chasnoff, Executive Director of Groundspark. Our very own advisor, filmmaker Jacki Ochs, was among the many NY Hosts at this event. 

 

Fifty teen voices appear in this 65 minute film (soon to be edited to a more manageable short version for educators). Guest speaker, Mia Herndon of the Third Wave Foundation, said: "These powerful voices speak truth to the issues facing so many teenagers today." What an amazing resource for teachers and trainers out there who are examining the pressures on teenagers around gender and sexuality!

 

Contact: info@groundspark.org