Nashville Public Library Votes for Women Room

The Votes for Women Room opened in 2020—the centennial anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment, which granted women the constitutional right to vote. There are several references to women’s sports in the timeline including the passage of Title IX (1972), the establishment of the Women’s Tennis Association by Billie Jean King (1973), Pat Summitt’s hiring as the head coach at UT (1974), and the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team’s gender discrimination lawsuit (2019). 

More broadly, this permanent exhibit explores a range of topics. Want to learn more about Tennessee’s pivotal role in the ratification? Or explore important themes of race and culture in American history? Check out the exhibit’s “Anatomy of a Movement,” section to discover tactics and strategies used to affect social change. After all, the growth and expansion of women’s sports is also a movement—one that continues to change and shape American society.

So let’s talk a little more about the role of Title IX as part of the women’s sports movement. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon in June 1972, the words “sports” or “athletics” are not mentioned in the law. But Title IX does require equal opportunity for girls and young women. More specifically, it requires equal opportunity in education, which extends to athletics. Over a half century later, it’s clear that women’s sports was the greatest beneficiary of Title IX. Pat Summitt, the legendary Lady Vols’ coach, wrote in 2012: “When I think of Title IX, the one word that always comes to my mind is opportunity. Specifically, it's an opportunity for little girls. As they grow up, if they want to compete in sports then they have that opportunity.” 

The year 1972 was indeed a watershed moment for women in the United States, but as you’ll see in the Votes for Women room, Title IX is just one part of the larger story. Explore the many interactive parts of the exhibit. Next, we’ll head over to Municipal Auditorium to talk about Nashville’s most accomplished sports team, the Nashville Business College women’s basketball team.

Follow the parking garage directions to exit by turning RIGHT onto Sixth Ave. N. Immediately turn LEFT onto Commerce St. and LEFT onto John Lewis Way. Continue on John Lewis Way for about four blocks, finally crossing over Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Find street parking near Municipal Auditorium on your right. You may listen to this stop from your car or walk around to the front of the building.