Bonny Mutty

To the editor:My heart sank when I read your recent editorial on Title IX. Even the title of your piece, "sugar and spice," brought me straight back to the times when sports culture was terribly unfair. Two brief stories, among many, I would like to share with you: I knew my life as a girl was a different playing field (no pun intended) as early as kindergarten. I have a vivid and distinct memory of having to wear a skirt or dress to school. When I tried to climb the outside jungle gym, like the boys, I was immediately pulled off and sternly admonished that little girls, with skirts, were not allowed to climb the equipment. But, I had to wear a skirt ....hmmm.As a sophomore in high school and an avid basketball player, my observations were as follows: Our coach got paid only half the amount afforded to the boys' coach. The boys were scheduled premium night games with spectator buses. (Important in a northern Vermont regional school.) Our scheduled afternoon games (even varsity) were attended only by parents with transportation.Our "referees" were pulled off the street and had no training or official status. Our games were embarrassingly uneven and unfair for either team. The boys had ranked, official referees for every game.That year our uniforms consisted of mismatched tops and bottoms, some dating 30 years old or more collected from the smaller regional schools before the union school was built. That same year the school purchased the boys team, new home uniforms, new away uniforms and new warm up suits with matching jacket and pants.My bitterness of those days remain in my heart even today. I am so tired of hearing the spoiled whining of the male sports establishment. I have two girls, with one entering Kennett High in another year. Will my girls be treated with fairness in their athletic endeavors? Will my girls have quality coaches, refs and facilities? Will anyone care?Title IX for me was the sun shining on a very, very dark corner. I pray this administration will leave it alone. These acts will affect our children for years to come. Thank you for bringing this subject to the forefront for discussion.P.S.Any information on the committee assigned to this review of Title IX would be much appreciated. My pen is just getting warmed up!