With the help of the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union, Peggy Brenden and Toni St. Pierre fought for the opportunity to compete head-to-head against other high school athletes. Previously, their schools offered only a smattering of athletic options for girls and prohibited girls from competing with boys.
Their lawsuit would lead to a groundbreaking decision and a chance to participate. They would win and lose with their high school teams and continue to confront barriers because of their gender.
Upon appeal, their case was upheld by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals establishing a legal precedent that pressed schools across the country to create sports participation opportunities for girls.
Before Title IX gained clout, their case unlocked the gates to an arena previously constructed with only one gender in mind. Girls, who once stood on the sidelines could claim their identity as athletes.
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