{"id":23,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:49:02","latitude":40.2670312000000052421455620788037776947021484375,"longitude":-76.8821311589959321963760885410010814666748046875,"title":"Genevieve Blatt and the Commonwealth Court","subtitle":"Changing Pennsylvania politics for the better","fullsize":"https://harrisburghistorical.org/files/fullsize/0c2e3ba2affabb583c56b89aa0171a6c.jpg","address":"Pennsylvania Judicial Center, 601 Commonwealth Ave, Harrisburg, PA 17120","all_locations":[],"zoom":20,"creator":["Maddie Graham"],"description":"Genevieve Blatt made history in 1972 as the first woman appointed to Pennsylvania's Commonwealth Court. One of Blatt's most significant rulings concerned the enforcement of Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education. Title IX states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Blatt ruled that the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association must provide women access to sports programs and ruled that they could no longer discriminate based on sex. <br /><br />Learn more in <em><a href=\"https://storymaps.com/stories/e87ed988e9f04fdf99c0b9fc4bbae73f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Breaking the Glass Ceiling: </a></em><span><em><a href=\"https://storymaps.com/stories/e87ed988e9f04fdf99c0b9fc4bbae73f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Genevieve Blatt Changed Pennsylvanian Politics Forever</a></em>. <br /><br /></span>A full list of resources used in this story can be found <a href=\"https://www.zotero.org/groups/5114087/harrisburg_historical/collections/MSQXMIHQ/items/DJW957E2/collection\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Genevieve Blatt Zotero Folder\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here</a>.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"","lede":"In 1972, Genevieve Blatt made history when she was appointed to Pennsylvania&#039;s Commonwealth Court in Harrisburg, where she would go on to issue landmark rulings advancing women&#039;s rights, including a pivotal decision requiring equal access to sports programs for female athletes.","website":"<a href=\"https://pacapitol.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Pennsylvania State Capitol: A National Historic Landmark</a>","related_resources":["<a href=\"https://www.womenshistory.org/genevieve-blatt\">Genevieve Blatt</a>","<a href=\"https://www.justice.gov/crt/title-ix\">Title IX Ruling</a>"],"factoids":["Did you know? Genevieve Blatt played a key role in restoring Pennsylvania's land records by teaming up with archivists to preserve historical documents. To learn more about Genevieve Blatt and her accomplishments, legacy, and drive, click <a href=\"https://storymaps.com/stories/e87ed988e9f04fdf99c0b9fc4bbae73f\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Breaking the Glass Ceiling\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here.</a>"],"files":{"https://harrisburghistorical.org/files/fullsize/0c2e3ba2affabb583c56b89aa0171a6c.jpg":{"id":129,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Genevieve Blatt (far right) with others (including Governor Scranton)","description":"Genevieve Blatt with others for a dinner with the Democratic State Party. | Historical Society of Dauphin County (Q05557) | ca. 1950/1960 | Democratic State Party of PA","thumbnail":"https://harrisburghistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/0c2e3ba2affabb583c56b89aa0171a6c.jpg"},"https://harrisburghistorical.org/files/fullsize/8e92dea25b620438748d1aeb000b9ef7.jpg":{"id":131,"mime-type":"image/png","title":"Certificate from the Franciscan Mass League","description":"A document stating the enrollment of Genevieve Blatt&#039;s mother Clara into Perpetual Membership in the Catholic Church after her death.  | Pennsylvania State Archives (MG283-8, Folder 21) | ca. 1967 | Franciscan Mass League ","thumbnail":"https://harrisburghistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/8e92dea25b620438748d1aeb000b9ef7.jpg"},"https://harrisburghistorical.org/files/fullsize/c4c98e48a972286a81a29d8ca4a896bf.jpg":{"id":132,"mime-type":"image/png","title":"Golden Book of Enrollment","description":"A document stating Clara Blatt&#039;s enrollment into the Golden Book of the Benedictine Fathers and Brothers.  | Pennsylvania State Archives (MG283-8, Folder 21) | ca. 1960s | Benedictine Fathers and Brothers","thumbnail":"https://harrisburghistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/c4c98e48a972286a81a29d8ca4a896bf.jpg"},"https://harrisburghistorical.org/files/fullsize/bbcbd86e6cc8c6baeca4f8018d08bbac.jpg":{"id":144,"mime-type":"image/png","title":"Augustine Seminary Guild","description":"A letter of enrollment of Clara Blatt into the Augustine Seminary Guild for a period of 5 years. | Pennsylvania State Archives (MG283-8, Folder 21) | May 27, 1967 | Augustine Fathers","thumbnail":"https://harrisburghistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/bbcbd86e6cc8c6baeca4f8018d08bbac.jpg"}}}