KINGSTON, R.I. — November 8, 2002 — An expert on the status of women and sports will speak at the University of Rhode Island on Thursday, Nov. 14. The talk, the eighth annual Eleanor M. and Oscar M. Carlson endowed lecture, which is free and open to the public, will be given in the Cherry Auditorium, Kirk Hall, Kingston campus, at 7 p.m. A reception will follow.
Linda Jean Carpenter’s speech, “Snails and Whales, Giraffes and Orangutans: Conversations on Title IX and Equity,” will be based on Title IX, the federal legislation enacted 30 years ago that protects both students and employees from sex discrimination. After three decades, both sex discrimination and Title IX still coexist and its application to athletics has garnered a lion share of publicity and controversy –perhaps because of the inherent segregated format of athletics.
Carpenter, an attorney and professor emerita of Brooklyn College’s Department of Physical Education and Exercise Science, will speak on how Title IX applies in all corners of the campus and how its enforcement or lack of enforcement affects everyone on the campus. She will also discuss how great progress toward equity has been made in some arenas along with how unintended consequences have arisen in others. She will also address the continuing debate about clear requirements of the law.
Carpenter plans to talk about the terrain of Title IX from a variety of perspectives and not just pros and cons. People affected by Title IX are a diverse group and the impact varies by their particular involvements and desires. The legislation’s effectiveness and/or potential for good hinges in large measure on the ability of diverse viewpoints finding common ground and agreement about the value of its intended goals even though its impact is felt differently by each individual, according to Carpenter.
Carpenter is a member of the New York State Bar and the United States Supreme Court Bar. She has spent her career researching the status of women in sports. Carpenter is the author of eight books, including the two most recent Legal Concepts in Sports and Equity in the Gymnasium: Coeducational Physical Educator. In addition, she has been published widely in other venues, including articles, book chapters, workshop curricula, forewords, book reviews and encyclopedia entries, all related to aspects of legal concepts and gender equity. She is the recipient of 24 grants to research woman in sports along with other related legal and gender equity issues.
A recipient of many honors, her latest includes Rachel Bryant Lecturer, National Association for Girls and Women in Sports 2001; Charter Inductee, North American Society for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sports and Dance 2000; and Smith College Community Associate: Project on Women and Social Change 2000, 2001, and 2002. Carpenter is the founding member of A Very Special Place Inc., a non-profit agency serving the needs of mentally retarded adults. She is also a member of the New York City Public Schools Chancellor’s Taskforce on Sex Equity.
The URI Women’s Studies Program and the URI Parents Fund sponsor the Carlson Lecture.