WASHINGTON (June 27, 2022) – Howard University volleyball assistant coaches Sareea Freeman and Phil Evans, along with rising sophomore Dami Awojobi (Hempstead, N.Y.), attended the Voice in Sports (VIS) event, held at the Capitol as part of the Title IX anniversary celebration.
 
The Bison trio witnessed an incredible historical moment with VIS Founder and CEO Stef Strack, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, Alma Adams and other advocates as they introduced a new Bill on Title IX Reform.
 
"Today's event was enlightening," said Awojobi. "It was very exciting to represent Howard University in celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Title IX with Voice in Sport."
 
The event highlighted existing gender inequities in college and high school sports while previewing legislation to fulfill the promise of Title IX with the FAIR PLAY FOR WOMEN ACT of 2022.
 
"Title IX of the Civil Rights Act promoted gender-based equality, which has allowed women across the nation to continually break down barriers and contest unequal treatment," said Howard women's volleyball head coach Shaun Kupferberg. "There is much more to be done before true equality exists, but the last 50 years have provided many victories. We are extremely proud of our alumni that have broken down those barriers during their time at Howard University and beyond their playing careers."
 
The event consisted of two panels with 12 VIS advocate speakers.
 
The first panel discussed Title IX and how it has shaped women's sports. Notable speakers included Partner at Bailey and Glasser, LLP Title IX Litigator Arthur Bryant, Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport Director Dr. Nicole La Voi and Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman.
 
The second panel featured fulfilling the promise of Title IX and achieving gender equity in sports. Noteworthy speakers included Rock The Vote President Carolyn DeWitt, Break The Love CEO Trisha Goyal and basketball analyst Christy Winters Scott.
 
"I enjoyed meeting the amazing women on their panel," Awojobi continued. "Voice in Sport is doing something very important, spreading Title IX awareness. I hope they continue to thrive and one day I can be a part of their growth as well."
 
Title IX states that, "No person in the United States shall, based on sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
 
Since 1984, the women's volleyball program has won a conference-best 13 titles while earning seven NCAA Tournament berth.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com or the VIS website at www.voiceinsports.com.