The American Association of University Women (AAUW) will hold its Title IX gala event at 6 p.m. April 17 at the Bellevue Sheraton Hotel. The gala, which will kick off the AAUW 2009 state convention in Bellevue, will celebrate some of the equal rights achievements of women and girls made possible by Title IX legislation.

The program will feature two prominent women, Anne Levinson, a co-owner of the Seattle Storm and chairwoman of Force 10 Hoops, and Tracy Sherman, government relations manager for AAUW in Washington, D.C.

Levinson will speak about how she and three other local business women negotiated with former Seattle Supersonics owner Clay Bennett to purchase the Storm, saving the team from a move to Oklahoma City. She will also speak about the role of Title IX in sports, schools, and communities today.

Levinson is a former judge, chairwoman of the Washington State Utilities & Transportation Commission, deputy mayor of Seattle, philanthropist, and noted activist in community affairs.

Sherman develops legislative strategies that advance AAUW’s policy priorities including gender fairness, equity in education and women’s economic self-sufficiency. She will speak primarily about threats to Title IX and bills before Congress which are attempting to strengthen this legislation.

Prior to joining AAUW, Sherman worked on Capitol Hill where she covered a number of legislative issues for Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA), and former Majority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MO).

Tickets for event are available at the registration table for $42. The public is invited.