Karen Blair, Sue Durrant, Marcia Saneholtz, Jeanne Eggart and Jo Washburn. These five names will forever have an amazing and profound impact on WSU. These five women who pioneered Title IX at WSU were honored at the women’s basketball game against UCLA on Friday. 

During halftime, Blair, Saneholtz, Eggart and Durrant were recognized for their contributions to women’s athletics at WSU. Washburn died in 2020, her dear friend Durrant accepted her award on her behalf. 

Honoring these five pioneers kicked off Power of IX, a six-month-long campaign to celebrate and honor the passing of the Title IX legislation. The Power of IX event includes a funding campaign. The proceeds of the fund will go towards the nine women’s sports programs on campus. 

Each of the five women had videos with their stories shown throughout the game. Together, the five stories tell the history of women’s athletic programs not having the same access as men’s sports.

This year marks 50 years of women’s equal access in sports and the foundation for a movement to allow women’s sports to be where it is today. 

To end the celebration, the Cougs won their game against UCLA on a last-second free throw from Krystal Leger-Walker. 

A Women’s Empowerment Forum is the next event for Power of IX. The forum will take place on March 8 and will feature coaches and alumni. 

Visit the WSU Athletics website for more updates and events surrounding the Power of IX campaign.