Things that we have to be thankful for on this 4th of July, 2009. Add Title IX.

We are thankful for living in a free country. July 4th, 1776 was a great day.

But there's another close-by birthday that I'm very thankful for. It's the 37th birthday of Title IX. What's Title IX? Younger people may not even think about Title IX but I remember it so vividly.

Imagine having a 13 year old daughter who is exceedingly bright, energetic, with nothing to do!

That's the way it was. There were NO sports for girls in Searcy Arkansas and no organized games for girls in the schools or the community. Boys had plenty to do. In the school system there were organizations like the Key Club which allowed boys only! And this unfair situation existed all over the country.

Title IX, when passed by the Nixon administration, required all educational institutions that received federal funds to treat men and women equally. That meant the schools were going to have to add something for girls. Boy's basketball team? Add a girl's basketball team. Football? (Well, that's probably where the law has never been fulfilled but things are at least better.) Track? Add a girl's track team.

That blasted all boy's social club that was operating inside the high school was within a year or two (almost over the sponsor's dead body) of being integrated with the first girls.

Searcy Arkansas took note also and formed a committee (I was on it because of my loud-mouthed protests of needing something for girls) to hire a recreational director with one of his first duties to be forming a softball team for girls to somewhat equal the opportunities that boys already had.

In the schools they started a tennis team for girls and my daughter joined it, excelled and still plays tennis to this day. She played softball. She joined every athletic activity that was available for girls in the city and in the school system and I firmly believe that all of the activities helped keep her busy in a wholesome way that made her a better individual.

So when we come to things we are thankful for and if you have a daughter you'd better put this on your list! Title IX!!!! Happy Birthday.

Posted Saturday Jul 04

( 07/04/09 09:09AM ) — Don Thompson

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but what happened to girl's basketball in Searcy Hi? There was a team when Paula and I matriculated in the early 50s. Interesting about clubs like the Key club which was a community service club sponsored by the Kiwanis. I guess there was no similar club for the ladies. I wonder if Title IX did anything about that. There was no women's club to sponsor anything for the girls

1954 SHS Girl's Basketball Team

( 07/04/09 09:11AM ) — Sara Goss, Realtor, Houston Bay Area, Texas

Barbara, Title IX is something to remember and celebrate, true progress in the pursuit of happiness for all. Sometimes you gotta be loudmouthed - thank you for being involved. Happy Fourth!

( 07/04/09 09:59AM ) — Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR

Don, as you know I didn't grow up in Searcy so can't remember all its history. My husband seems to think that it was eliminated when the half-court game was changed to full-court. Running all that much wasn't good for girls! When my daughter was in Junior High they were forced to take PE with the boys all at the same time. It was the only exercise offered for girls. Imagine the horror of the boys making fun of the girls who were forced to wear little short uniforms.

The Key Club, being a social club, should have offered one of equal importance to girls. Pressure was put on them after Title IX to either provide one for girls or let girls in the existing one. The boys, believe it or not, were instrumental in seeing the unfairness of it and successfully got girls admitted. The sponsor had said to me, "Girls should be kept barefoot and pregnant and will be admitted to the Key Club over my dead body." When they were admitted he gave me a little drawing with a head and a gun aimed at it. (I was teaching at the time and giving them a tough time about the girl's equality thing.)

Things rapidly improved after Title IX. They hired a girl's basketball coach, the city started the softball program and now we have a newspaper that has as many girl's sports pictures in it as boy's.

I also played basketball in a little town who had nothing but two basketball teams. So I could remember the importance I felt for being a team member. I wanted the same thing offered for all girls.

( 07/04/09 10:00AM ) — Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR

Sara, one person can start a lot, especially when the person has right on their side.

( 07/04/09 10:01AM ) — Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR

Girl's basketball P. S.

Don, I love the picture!! Thanks for uploading it. Here's my history!

( 07/04/09 02:14PM ) — Harold Gene Sullivan

Around 1950, girl’s basketball was quite popular in Searcy, or I should say White County. The White County girl’s basketball tournament was really a show, called SMS (South's Most Spectacular) Tournament. Each year the tournament was held at a different school and the gyms were always packed. Not only were there basketball games but at halftime and between games, there were acts or other entertainment. I remember one time they had some elephants doing tricks until one decided to pee. That created a real mess, but lots of laughs. I think the county education supervisor, Mr. Orr, was largely responsible for it.

( 07/04/09 02:20PM ) — Harold gene Sullivan

I don't know what happened on my message just posted but I wrote it in Word and then pasted it here. The message I planned to post is just the last few lines. Sorry about the big mess. The message should have just been:

Around 1950, girl’s basketball was quite popular in Searcy, or I should say White County. The White County girl’s basketball tournament was really a show, called SMS (South's Most Spectacular) Tournament. Each year the tournament was held at a different school and the gyms were always packed. Not only were there basketball games but at halftime and between games, there were acts or other entertainment. I remember one time they had some elephants doing tricks until one decided to pee. That created a real mess, but lots of laughs. I think the county education supervisor, Mr. Orr, was largely responsible for it.

( 07/04/09 02:30PM ) — Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR

Harold Gene, I deleted the one with the mystery. I had to scroll way down to see who had sent it. I agree that basketball used to be big fun in the small schools. Searcy may have been considered large. In Georgia we traveled on Tuesday and Friday, if I remember correctly, on the bus to another small school and the boy's and girl's games were played.

I don't even know whether the small schools eliminated the girl's programs. I'm just aware of being appalled when I got to Searcy in the late 60's, with children, that there was nothing for girls to do. If you couldn't make cheerleader, you were doomed. How many cheerleaders could they have?

I don't remember ever having half time entertainment. I remember one or two special nights when the gym held a donkey basketball game but I'm thinking that was the only thing going on that night. It could have been half-time entertainment though.

Thanks for comments!

( 07/04/09 05:51PM ) — Anita Fuller

Barbara: identify yourself! I'm guessing top row, on the left as we look at the picture.

I played on the basketball team in the ninth grade: '50-'5l. We had to provide our own uniforms and went to the local athletic store (Berryhill's) to pick out our number. I choose #13. Our mother's sewed the numbers on the back of our shirts. We played a total of 6 games: 3 regular games, 3 in the SMS tournament held in Griffithville that year. We made it to the semi-finals but were defeated by the Beebe Jr. Girls: 58 - l5. Can't you imagine what a boring game that was? I called "time-out" in the last seconds. What was I thinking? The next year I had to choose being in the band or on the basketball team: fortunately I chose band, and haven't regretted it a minute. But to add to the history of SHS: Girls basketball was instated in '49-50.....and continued until I graduated and I lost interest after that. Very interesting take on girl's athletics/social clubs, etc. at dear old Searcy High School. I applaud you and others efforts to get equal rights for girls.

Anita Fuller

( 07/04/09 08:24PM ) — Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR

Anita, that's me. You chose right. I have been investigating Searcy High basketball. I have several annuals. The last one for several years was 1957 and there was a girl's team. The next that I have was 1975 and there was none. So somewhere during that time the authorities decided that poor little girls couldn't take all that strenuous exercise and cut out girl's basketball. We need to speak up for our children's rights, don't you think?

I was teaching at the high school when they hired a girl's basketball coach and things have improved since then. Thanks for comments!!

( 07/04/09 09:08PM ) — Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector

Mrs Barbara,

I am so impressed that you were a sports star. Godson Nutsy W. I was kind of a hot dog on the court myself

( 07/04/09 09:59PM ) — Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR

Nutsy, my little love, you are always a hotdog! You see, I'm in a good mood tonight and didn't even tell you that I hate that hotdog outfit. Happy 4th of July, Godson Nutsy!

( 07/05/09 11:22AM ) — Kate Ford Mortgage Translator

Barbara, Title IX and I are soul mates. Know why? Their 37th birthday coincides with my oldest daughter's birthday! My oldest baby is 37 today. :) Kate Ford

PS Nutsy, You will have to figure out where but I saw that somebody took at bite out of your excitement.

( 07/05/09 11:27AM ) — Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR

Kate, Happy Birthday to your daughter. I hope she had a life filled with sports activities if she wanted to play! Title IX made that possible for her.

( 07/05/09 11:31AM ) — Kate Ford Mortgage Translator

Yes she did/does and now passing on the family tradition to her two kidlets. Thank you Title IX :) Kate

( 07/07/09 02:29PM ) — Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR

Kate, when Nutsy is not around you are a completely different person! Sane, sensible, reasonable and I'm glad you agree with me about Title IX. : )

Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR
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By constantly working in the real estate market in Searcy AR and White County for over 27 years, I have become known as one of the most professional and knowledgeable brokers in the city and county.

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