Andrea Reeb, a State Representative for the New Mexico House of Representatives, expressed concern over the Santa Fe Farmers Market's decision to cancel a Title IX celebration event. She said that this action undermines the recognition and empowerment of girls in New Mexico. Her comments were made in a press release.
"The Santa Fe Farmers Market turned their backs on every young girl in this state—just like the Legislature continues to do,” said Rep. Andrea Reeb (R-Clovis). “This is a slap in the face to every woman in New Mexico," said R Reeb, New Mexico State Representative for 64th District (R). "Women have fought long and hard for these opportunities. They deserve to be recognized—not erased,” said Rep. Rod Montoya (R-Farmington)"
Title IX, enacted in 1972, has significantly increased female participation in school and collegiate sports. Research has documented positive outcomes for gender equity in athletics due to this legislation. Empirical analysis indicates that Title IX led to a substantial rise in female athletic participation across the United States, directly impacting opportunities for young women.
According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, female participation in high school sports in the United States grew from approximately 294,000 participants in 1971–72 to more than 3.4 million by 2018–19. This increase is largely attributed to Title IX, and the gap in sports participation between boys and girls has continued to close over the past five decades.
A report published by the Women’s Sports Foundation in 2022 found that girls are more likely than boys to drop out of sports by age 14. The report attributes this trend to factors such as lack of access, social stigma, and insufficient resources and support. It recommends increasing visibility, resources, and positive role models for girls involved in sports.
Reeb's website notes that she is a Clovis native and longtime prosecutor who served as the 9th Judicial District Attorney with a 97% conviction rate. She specialized in child crimes and high-profile corruption cases and has been an advocate for crime prevention legislation since 2014.
