In recognition of the significant milestone of the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the U.S. Postal Service has released a commemorative stamp series that pays tribute to this groundbreaking civil rights law. Title IX, which was passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972, aimed to prohibit sex-based discrimination in educational programs and activities that receive federal funding.

The artwork featured on these special stamps showcases the profiles of four women, each representing different sports disciplines. The silhouettes, rendered in dark blue, depict runners, swimmers, gymnasts, and soccer players, symbolizing the wide range of athletic pursuits available to women and girls. Adorned with yellow laurel branches, which traditionally symbolize victory, the women’s hair and swimmer’s cap serve as powerful visual elements.

Adding to the empowering message of the stamps, the phrase “Title IX” appears across the cheeks of the depicted women. This inscription serves as a reminder of the law’s impact and the ongoing commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities for women and girls in educational environments.

The Title IX stamps not only celebrate the legacy of this landmark legislation but also serve as a call to action to continue advancing gender equality in all aspects of education. By featuring the diverse and accomplished profiles of female athletes, these stamps pay tribute to the progress made under Title IX and inspire further strides toward equal access and opportunities for all.

U.S. Representative Patsy T. Mink of Hawai‘i was the principal author of a section of a House bill that became Title IX. The first woman of color and the first Asian American woman elected to the House of Representatives, Mink was a tireless champion of women’s rights and the rights of people of color. Mink worked with Representative Edith Green and Senator Birch Bayh in 1971 to write and sponsor legislation in both chambers of Congress addressing discrimination against women in education. After some negotiation between the two chambers, the Education Amendments were passed and signed into law by President Richard M. Nixon on June 23, 1972. Thirty years later, shortly after Mink’s death, Title IX was renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act in tribute to her enormous contributions to furthering equity in education.

In the 50 years since its passage, Title IX has been applied widely at elementary, secondary, and post-secondary institutions. The law covers a wide range of programs and resources. Additionally, Title IX prohibits sexual harassment, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking occurring on school campuses or within school programs or activities.

Title IX has had the most visible impact on school athletics. The year before the law was enacted, around 300,000 girls participated in high school sports, which accounted for less than 10 percent of all participants in high school athletics. In addition, women’s sports were invisible on college and university campuses, receiving very little funding and none of the recognition of their male counterparts. Title IX created pathways for enriching women’s athletics programs, allowing for a wider range of competitive sports offerings, more robust physical education regimens, and equal spaces to play.

Fifty years after its passage, Title IX continues to evolve. The ongoing need to address discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities provides opportunities to better serve students, despite economic, cultural, geographic, and other barriers. Title IX has impacted generations of young people in the United States, and the work to provide protections for even more in the future continues.

Artist Melinda Beck designed the stamps. Derry Noyes served as art director.

The Title IX stamps are being issued as Forever stamps. These Forever stamps will always equal the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price.