Impact Beyond the Game
Too Strong for a Woman?
“Champions keep playing until they get it right.” –
- Billie Jean King
Beyond the Game
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“Too strong for a woman.”
Five words that changed the course of history for millions of girls and women in American sports. When Dr. Bernice Sandler heard these words in 1969, dismissing her candidacy for a full-time position at the University of Maryland, she couldn't have known they would spark a revolution. But sometimes, the most significant changes begin with a moment of stark injustice.
Last week's National Girls and Women in Sports Day was a celebration and reminder of how the history of playing fields has been anything but level. While boys' sports programs became ingrained in the American education system, girls would wait decades before receiving similar opportunities.
When Sandler heard her male colleague describe her as “too strong for a woman,” she could have dismissed this as more of the usual and unfortunate chauvenism she faced in higher education. Instead, she began meticulously documenting cases of sex discrimination in education. She discovered that while other forms of discrimination were prohibited, sex discrimination remained perfectly legal. This led her to work with congressional representatives, eventually helping to draft what would become Title IX.
What makes Sandler's story so powerful is how it demonstrates the impact of individual action. She didn't set out to revolutionize women's sports—she simply wanted fair treatment in academia. Yet her pursuit of justice would eventually open doors for millions of female athletes.
When President Nixon signed Title IX into law in 1972, its 37 words were deceptively simple:
"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity."
But transforming these words into reality required more than just presidential ink. It demanded a fundamental shift in how society viewed female athletes. Before Title IX, the statistics tell a grim story: only 1 in 27 girls participated in high school sports. Athletic scholarships for women were virtually nonexistent, and many schools didn't even have girls teams.
The change that followed has been nothing short of extraordinary. Today, 1 in 3 girls participate in high school sports. Women's college athletics has become a powerful pipeline for professional sports and leadership opportunities. These effects extend far beyond competition—studies show that girls who participate in sports are more likely to graduate from college, succeed in their careers, and develop lasting confidence.
The fight for equality in women's sports is part of a larger story of progress. From the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, where women first organized to demand basic rights, to the 2019 World Cup victory by the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team and their fight for equal pay, each generation has pushed the boundaries further. Yet significant challenges still persist.
Dr. Bernice Sandler passed away in 2019, but her legacy lives on in every girl who steps onto a field, court, or track without having to question her right to be there. The phrase that once dismissed her—"too strong for a woman"—has been reclaimed as a badge of honor by generations of female athletes who understand that there's no such thing as being "too strong."
The fight for equal rights in sports has always been about more than the games being played—it's about creating a world where no one's dreams are limited. And that's a goal worth pursuing.
What moments in women's sports history have inspired you? Share your stories in the comments below.
“Too strong for a woman? No such thing.”
– Bernice Sandler
Connecting this quote to the story. Sandler challenged the very bias that once kept women out of sports, turning what was meant as a dismissal into a rallying cry for strength, resilience, and the fight for equality.
Chasing Influence tip: Resilience and determination turn moments of rejection into movements of change.
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©Troy Urdahl, 2025