My name is Kate Hinshaw. I’m a junior on the field hockey team and I had the honor to create this mural celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX. First off, I want to thank Nan and Sarah Lee for giving me this opportunity. I started working on this project in the spring of 2022 when I was asked to be the student representative on the athletic department's Title IX Committee. Like any big undertaking, there have been challenges, but this project has been especially rewarding because I have had the opportunity to connect with so many amazing women who paved the way for female athletes at Denison. It has been an incredible opportunity to hear the stories from the women in these photos and I am honored to play a role in celebrating efforts to make gender equality a reality since the Title IX bill was signed in 1972. 

        The athletic department has been so supportive throughout this process and I especially want to thank all of the people who contributed photos because without them, this would not have been possible: Ricky Baptist, Brandon Morgan, the Denison Archives and most importantly the female student-athlete alums! Also, a special shout out to PJ and my team for inspiring me everyday. 

        Last but not least, I want to thank all of the female athletes who came before me that have been trail blazers on this campus and persisted to create equity in Denison athletics. Though we are celebrating 50 years prohibiting discrimination based on sex, there are still inequalites between men and women. There is work to be done and it is our generation’s responsibility to continue the legacy started by the powerful women who came before us.