Last year, the 40th anniversary of Title IX, was a year of celebrations. There were special dinners commemorating those who spearheaded the influential piece of legislation, newspaper series to recognizing the most well-known athletes since the law’s inception and endless debate regarding the impact and progress of this law. All of this was magnificent for the understanding and appreciation of Title IX, but now the year of the anniversary and celebration is over. It’s time to put everything away and let the dust build up on the shelves until 2022, when the 50th anniversary happenings will bring the law into the public spotlight once again.

Title IX should not be ignored for the next decade. Even though the anniversary year is over, it’s still more important than ever to remember the groundbreaking law and to continue pushing for progress. Title IX represents opportunity and progress for women and men, in all fields.

Something that I found frustrating throughout last year was the misconceptions individuals had about Title IX. Most people believe it’s a law that pushed for equality in men’s and women’s sports. However, there is no mention of women or athletics in the wording, which states, “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.”

Title IX was originally conceived because no laws prohibited sexual discrimination. Before the law passed, the majority of women would get rejected from law schools or medical schools simply because of gender.

It wasn’t until the law almost passed that it was realized athletics would be affected under the broad language of Title IX.

“Even then I didn’t realize the magnitude of it and how women in athletics were being discriminated,” Bernice Sandler, a Title IX pioneer, said in June. “I thought maybe women could have more athletic activities on field day.”

The law had a tidal wave affect after it passed in 1972, and women’s athletic programs grew across the nation to be equitable with men’s athletic programs.

The last time I participated in organized athletics was during my senior year of high school, when I was the captain of my cross-country team, though I only participated in one meet the entire season. Clearly I’m not much of an athlete, but Title IX still affects me every day.

I’ve been very fortunate in my opportunities as a female sports reporter. I’ve been in men’s locker rooms multiple times, I’ve been at countless sporting events where I’ve been the only female reporter and I’ve been constantly asked, “Why are you here?” This combination of opportunity along with scrutiny was nonexistent 40 years ago. There were barely any women involved with sport in any form. That is what I remind myself, and I promise to make sure that the next generation of women have it even better than I do.

I still find a depressingly minimal number of women pursuing careers as sports reporters — there are only five females on the Daily Illini sports staff, myself included. It’s important for everyone, men and women alike, to take a moment and recognize how Title IX affects them. You don’t have to be an athlete to reap the benefits of Title IX. This is a law about equity and opportunity, not just about athletes and sports, even though that is what’s most recognized.

Maybe Title IX opens you up to new connections or opportunities that wouldn’t have previously been made available to you. Maybe Title IX gives you courage to go beyond general roles and try something that truly suits your interests.

Let’s make sure that substantial progress gets done in the next decade, that men and women can have equitable conditions on all platforms from education, to athletics, to the professional workplace. Use Title IX as an inspiration in your daily life. Take a moment to appreciate people and athletes of all sexes, on all levels. If you see someone being denied an opportunity they deserve, stand up for them. Don’t let this law be forgotten until the 50th anniversary.

Emily can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @EmilyBayci.