It is a little known fact that Charles M. Schulz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip, was a substantial supporter of women in sports and Title IX. As June 23, 2012 approaches, marking the 40th Title IX anniversary, the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California is commemorating this milestone in sports history with an exhibition called Leveling the Playing Field.
After Schulz met sports icon Billie Jean King, he highlighted the issue of females in sports with a multi-day storyline in 1979 about Title IX in his comic strip. Schulz brought attention to women athletes by mentioning contemporary female sports stars and featured his girl characters participating in a wide variety of sports, from football to figure skating.
Peggy Fleming, Olympic figure skating gold-medal winner and a fellow trustee with Schulz on the Woman's Sports Foundation said, "He [Schulz] brought a tremendous amount of attention to Title IX. These important issues, as experienced through the lives of the Peanuts characters, had a profound impact on the way people viewed girls and women in sports."
The Museum's exhibition, Leveling the Playing Field, celebrates the Title IX anniversary and features Charles Schulz's even-handed depiction of girls in sports with 86 original Peanuts comic strips, an overview of women's sports history, and examples of women's sports attire from the 1880s to the present. The exhibition also details Schulz's connections in the world of women's sports, his friendships with Billie Jean King and Peggy Fleming, and his early years coaching a local women's softball team.
Note: Title IX, legislation that ensures equal access to both men and women in federally-funded educational programs and activities, including sports, was passed in 1972. However by 1979, seven years after Title IX was signed into law, many of the law's supporters were unhappy with the lack of effective implementation of the legislation. Schulz created a series of Peanuts daily strips to increase public awareness and support for Title IX. Three of these strips are included with this news r women's coats elease.
SPEAK OUT T-SHIRTS
The Museum has teamed with Title Nine clothing company to produce three shirts for women who love Peanuts and want to commemorate the passage of Title IX with whimsy. Magenta and citrus shirts are available through the Museum's on-line store and Title Nine. The aqua shirt is available exclusively through Title Nine.
IMAGES
If you would like any of the images from Leveling the Playing Field to print in a publication or use on the web, contact Gina Huntsinger at gina(at)schulzmuseum(dot)org or (707) 284-1268.
COPYRIGHT AND IMAGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Copyright for all Peanuts images should be: Peanuts ? (year of strip) Peanuts Worldwide LLC
FOR USE OF ALL IMAGES IN THIS RELEASE. This art may not be altered in any way. You may not crop, flop, compress or squeeze the images. You may enlarge or reduce its size to fit your publication; and you must do so proportionately. You may not create or change words or thought balloons for the characters.
SPONSORS
This exhibition is generously sponsored by:
Title Nine, Clif Bar, Athleta, and Autodesk
A special thank you to The Women's Sports Foundation and its founder Billie Jean King.
ABOUT THE CHARLES M. SCHULZ MUSEUM & RESEARCH CENTER
The Charles M. Schulz Museum opened in August 2002 to fulfill its mission of preserving, displaying, and interpreting the art of Charles M. Schulz. The museum carries out this mission through changing exhibitions and programming that: build an understanding of cartoonists and cartoon art; illustrate the scope of Schulz's multi-faceted career; communicate the stories, inspirations and influences of Charles Schulz; and celebrate the life of Charles Schulz and the Peanuts characters. The museum's latest exhibit, Leveling the Playing Field, celebrates the Title IX anniversary.
LOCATION
The Charles M. Schulz Museum is located 50 minutes north of San Francisco by car on Highway 101. The Museum is located at 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa, California, 95403.
HOURS
Weekdays Monday thru Friday (except Tuesdays*) 11am – 5pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am – 5pm
Closed Tuesdays*
*Open everyday throughout the summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day)
ADMISSION FEES
Free – Museum Members, Children 3 and under
$5.00 – Children 4-18, college students with valid I.D. card, and Seniors 62+
$10.00 – Adults
For more information consult the Museum web site: http://www.SchulzMuseum.org. http://www.facebook.com/schulzmuseum
Charles M. Schulz Museum & Research Center
2301 Hardies Lane Santa Rosa, CA 95403
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