Good News for Girls

Jenny Maxwell

writer, editor

Thursday, April, 17, 2008

“All issues are women’s issues.” Gilda Cobb-Hunter said it when we interviewed her for skirt!. Political consultant Deb Sofield said it yesterday at the Summit on Women.

So I was excited when journalist Sarita Chourey offered to keep us posted on what’s happening at the SC Statehouse.

Yesterday, Sarita emailed to explain why a new law headed for the House floor is good news for girls:

        Girls who transfer schools to get away from a stalker gained support this week from lawmakers who say students shouldn’t lose their eligibility to play high school sports.
        Lauren Gentry won’t benefit from legislation she inspired, but the bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Shannon Erickson, says she hopes others who find themselves in Lauren’s position will.
        Lauren had transferred high schools in Beaufort County because her ex-boyfriend was intimidating her.
        “This young lady,” Erickson said, “never felt safe at school.”
        Lauren wanted to continue playing softball at her new school but was barred by South Carolina High School League rules.
        “In this instance, Lauren was advised to file a hardship waiver,” Erickson said. “It was denied. Now she’s been victimized by the system.”
        On Wednesday the state House Education Committee approved H 4758. An aid for Erickson said it’s headed to the House floor. The bill ensures that students who are protected by a restraining order due to physical abuse, stalking or harassment by another student, are still eligible to participate in interscholastic activities at the school to which they transfer. Current rules require students to wait one calendar year.

Sarita is new in town, moving here recently to work as Statehouse correspondent for Morris News Service. She has been a reporter for The Hill newspaper in Washington, D.C., for the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Gazette and has a master's degree from Stanford.