By Patricia Ressell-Deras
Staff Writer
On March 7, at 2:00 P.M Omega Phi Chi hosted its’ third annual Title IX March.
Title IX is part of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. This federal law prevents any federally funded educational institution from discriminating students and employees based on their gender.
Title IX reads: “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 receiving Federal financial assistance.”
Before the march from around 1:30 t0 2:00, Omega Phi Chi hosted a table at the Student Union Building to make posters. During this time, The Equinox interviewed the coordinator of the march, Senior Yani Horge.
Horge was part of the first march which happened three years ago, in March 2016.
The first march, “originally was put [together] by Raven Moody, who is also an alumni from Omega Phi Chi Omicron Chapter here [at Metro],” said Horge.
Even after Moody graduated, “the chapter kept the tradition going and running and so it continues to be an annual event to spread awareness,” Horge said.
This is Horge’s first time organizing the Title IX march. Horge emailed co-sponsors, as well as used media to invite students to join and “be a part of actively promoting something on campus.”
Horge said that the only hard part of organizing this march had to be “making sure information is correct for Title IX.” But Horge said she was thankful to Jessica O’Brien for providing information and help to “continue the success of the march.”
When asked how the turnout has been in the past, Horge said that turn outs to this event is “typically large due to co-sponsors.”
And she was not lying. Over four different cosponsors turned up to this event, most being Greek Life.
When asked what this march means to Horge, she replied,
“To me it’s very important. Being a woman myself and how the struggles that we do face and the limitations, it’s very good to know that there is a support group and people who are making active efforts to keep information spread to everyone. Cause there’s a lot of people who do not know what Title IX is. Let alone what it stands for, and how it affects them and how it protects them in this institution.”
Shortly after the interview, it was time for the march.
The march began outside of the SUB and went behind the Courts and down the walk path beside Riverside Cafe. It passed through the commencement lawn, across the bridge to the Martin Luther King, Jr. statue, where pictures were taken.
Afterwards, the marchers once again marched across the bridge, this time going through the Northpointe parking lot, up the stairs passing the Fitness Center, Giovatto Library and Becton Hall. The march finished back at the SUB.
Horge was “very happy with the turn out, despite the weather conditions. My organization and it’s cosponsors stuck through the cold weather.”
Horge would also like to thank all the organizations who participated in the walk and “to continue to spread the knowledge of Title IX, emphasizing women’s rights.”
