Published:
In recognition of the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the Central Connecticut State University (Central) community hosted a celebration on March 2 to honor 10 women as Title IX Trailblazers. The university selected the honorees based on recommendations from the President’s Commission on Equity, Justice, and Inclusion; the Office of the President; the Department of Athletics; the Office of Equity and Inclusion; Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; The Ruth Boyea Women’s Center; and the Committee on the Concerns of Women.
The Title IX Trailblazers were announced and recognized during the March 2 women’s home basketball game at Detrick Gymnasium.
“Title IX changed the trajectory of women in sport and beyond,” Central President Zulma R. Toro stated. “I am honored to recognize these Title IX Trailblazers who have come from varied backgrounds and across a half-century of Central history."
The honorees include two women from each of the past five decades with ties to Central who have made outstanding contributions to positively impact the lives of people in their communities in one or more of the following areas: Social justice, activism, and advocacy; community service and community building; scholarly research, writing, speaking, and teaching; education; business; social services; and government. Each of the women listed below is either an alumna of Central; a present or former faculty member; or a present or former staff member of the University. Several of the honorees are former student-athletes for the Blue Devils.
Central’S TITLE IX Trailblazers are:
1970s - Justice Carmen Espinosa (1971), Dr. Jannette Carey (1977)
1980s – Awilda Saavedra Reasco (1984), Kathy Pirog (1981)
1990s – Jacqueline Cobbina-Boivin (1991), Amy Strickland (1997)
2000s – Kristin Kropp (2006), Dr. Katelyn Ferranti (2008, 2010)
2010s – Sherise Truman (2017), Marissa Quesnal Gauvain (2016)