It’s not often that one of Three Rooms Press’s authors speaks about their book at a State Capitol. But NO STOPPING US NOW author Lucy Jane Bledsoe took center stage recently as part of the Women’s Caucus of the CA State Legislature’s celebration of the Women’s Equality Day. Bledsoe addressed her personal experience with Title IX, the life-changing 1972 law that simply states: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

As part of her presentation, Bledsoe discussed the her book, which details how Title IX changed her life as a high school basketball player. Her Portland, OR high school had no girls basketball team, illegal under Title IX. Despite significant opposition from authority figures, Lucy spoke truth to power and eventually her school capitulated, leading to a team that won the state championship in its first year.

Lucy also interviewed professional women’s tennis legend Rosie Casals, who, together with Billie Jean King, fought for women’s equality in the professional tennis circuit. And she personally met with Nancy Skinner (Senator, District 09) and Chair of the Women’s Caucus, Christina Garcia (Assemblywoman, District 58). Truly a landmark event for this well-deserving author and her novel.

Pictured in top photo: From left, CA State Senator Nancy Skinner, tennis legend Rosie Casals, author Lucy Jane Bledsoe, Pat Mullan, and CA State Assemblywoman Christina Garcia. Bottom photo: Rosie Casals with Lucy Jane Bledsoe.