TREZEVANT, Tenn. – A female student at a West Tennessee junior high school has been allowed to play football after she was initially told she couldn't join the team because of her gender.
WBBJ reported that the West Carroll Special School District has agreed to let Thalia Townsend play football after the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee sent a letter to the district on her behalf.
The 7th grader at West Carroll Junior-Senior High School in Carroll County was allegedly turned away from an initial meeting by the team’s coach in May.
According to a release sent by the ACLU, the coach told Townsend that girls were not allowed to play football at the school.
She has played left tackle in a community football league for two years.
After contacting the coach and director of schools, her mother was reportedly told the school had a policy against allowing girls to play football.
The ACLU then sent a letter to the school board, saying the policy was gender discrimination and was prohibited by the United States Constitution.
The school district ultimately agreed and allowed her to join the team.
“I couldn’t be happier. I just love playing football,” Townsend said. “I love being outside and getting muddy, hanging out with my guy friends and being aggressive on the field."
