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Break Point: Two Minnesota Athletes and the Road to Title IX
How two teenage girls in Minnesota jump-started a revolution in high school athletics
Peggy Brenden, a senior, played tennis. Toni St. Pierre, a junior, was a cross country runner and skier. All these two talented teenagers wanted was a chance to compete on their high school sports teams. But in Minnesota in 1972 the only way on the field with the boys ran through a federal court—so that was where the girls went. Break Point tells the story, for the first time, of how two teenagers took on the unequal system of high school athletics, setting a legal precedent for schools nationwide before the passage of Title IX.
As Peggy’s younger sister, author Sheri Brenden is uniquely positioned to convey the human drama of the case, the stakes, and the consequences for two young women facing the legal machinery of the state, in court and in school. In an account that begins with Peggy painstakingly typing her appeal to the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union and concludes with a long view of what Brenden v. Independent School District 742 set in motion, Sheri Brenden summons the salient details of this landmark case as it makes its way through the courts. Peggy and Toni, coaches, administrators, and experts testify before Judge Miles Lord, whose decision, upheld in a precedent-setting appeal, would change these girls’ lives and open up athletic opportunities for innumerable others.
Grounded in newspaper coverage, court records, and interviews, Brenden’s deeply researched, scrupulously reported book is at heart the story of two talented teenage girls whose pluck and determination—and, often, heartache—led to a victory much greater than any high school championship.
Peggy Brenden, a senior, played tennis. Toni St. Pierre, a junior, was a cross country runner and skier. All these two talented teenagers wanted was a chance to compete on their high school sports teams. But in Minnesota in 1972 the only way on the field with the boys ran through a federal court—so that was where the girls went. Break Point tells the story, for the first time, of how two teenagers took on the unequal system of high school athletics, setting a legal precedent for schools nationwide before the passage of Title IX.
As Peggy’s younger sister, author Sheri Brenden is uniquely positioned to convey the human drama of the case, the stakes, and the consequences for two young women facing the legal machinery of the state, in court and in school. In an account that begins with Peggy painstakingly typing her appeal to the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union and concludes with a long view of what Brenden v. Independent School District 742 set in motion, Sheri Brenden summons the salient details of this landmark case as it makes its way through the courts. Peggy and Toni, coaches, administrators, and experts testify before Judge Miles Lord, whose decision, upheld in a precedent-setting appeal, would change these girls’ lives and open up athletic opportunities for innumerable others.
Grounded in newspaper coverage, court records, and interviews, Brenden’s deeply researched, scrupulously reported book is at heart the story of two talented teenage girls whose pluck and determination—and, often, heartache—led to a victory much greater than any high school championship.
195 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 27, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 1, 2023
Of local interest- a well researched book about a court battle in the early 1970’s when two female MN HS athletes ask for the opportunity to compete for their school. This was before the passage of Title IX. Was painful to remember how discriminating policies were but encouraging to see the progress made in the past 50 years.
January 8, 2023
Such an important story to share and a pivotal moment in Minnesota history!
March 20, 2026
“Peggy and Toni were never part of protests, they did not hear loud rallying cries of support during their fight. They pushed through on their own… in a world uncomfortable with their choices.”
This book is the story of two high school girls who stood up and asked Why Not? Why not me? Why not now?
While this story took place in Minnesota, the book includes notable girls and women in sports history examples from across America.
This is an inspiring story of the battle from an old status quo to the today where women’s and girls sports are better. Better coached, better funded, with more women coaches, and more young girls, high school girls, college women, and adult women, both recreational and professional - WNBA, PWHL, other professional leagues - all are seeing record participation, revenue, and opportunities.
And there is still much work to be done if equity is the goal. And it should be the goal.
Just as young Peggy and Toni asked back in their day, why not me and why not now?
This book is the story of two high school girls who stood up and asked Why Not? Why not me? Why not now?
While this story took place in Minnesota, the book includes notable girls and women in sports history examples from across America.
This is an inspiring story of the battle from an old status quo to the today where women’s and girls sports are better. Better coached, better funded, with more women coaches, and more young girls, high school girls, college women, and adult women, both recreational and professional - WNBA, PWHL, other professional leagues - all are seeing record participation, revenue, and opportunities.
And there is still much work to be done if equity is the goal. And it should be the goal.
Just as young Peggy and Toni asked back in their day, why not me and why not now?
February 20, 2023
This book is about the personal and legal battle for access to sports for girls in Minnesota Public High Schools. Besides being a little history lesson of that era, the 1970s, it's a fun romp through some of the politics of that time and earlier in Mn. It is superbly written, with evocative descriptions of the struggles and tensions between and inside key players. It us also really fun, almost gossip column kind of fun, with the back story on some major Minnesota political figures. If you are interested in women's sports, the law ir just a slice of Minnesota history, you might enjoy this short book.
May 13, 2024
astounding that in my life time this shit was going on. It's the story of men, boys, male sportswriters, governing bodies (yeah, men there too) and their collective precious egos. Two extraordinary girls- Peggy and Toni just wanted to compete because they worked so hard to be good at their sports. Because there were no girls' tennis and track teams, they petitioned to play with the boys. The two trailblazed through muck, pettiness and misogyny to pave the way for girls to compete in athletics. I picked this book up because I know and admire Peg Brenden. I did not realize it would be so fascinating and well written.
May 31, 2025
Interesting book about girls in high school sports in the 1970s. Essentially there were no sports available to play. Two girls, unknown to each other, in high school in MN, one a tennis player and one a cross country/ runner and skier were very good athletes. They could not participate due to no girls programs so they wanted to play on the boys teams. They both contacted the MN ACLU and suit was filed. It eventually allowed them to play (somewhat), but ultimately led to changes across the nation. Interesting to see the legal process work. Wonder if Caitlin Clark read this book.
March 1, 2023
Interesting story about two girls in 1972 who helped change the world of high school athletics for women. At times, it is very technical in terms of the law. I did enjoy the personal reflection provided by each athlete. Would love to hear more stories from this time as I can relate to the start of Title IX as a 1977 graduate.
May 2, 2023
WOW! I was aware of Title IX as I grew up in the 1970's, but was a little too young and lived too far north to be aware of how it all started in MN. I was not entirely surprised by some of the quotes from people in that time as recorded, but am still a little aghast. . . . Wonderfully researched and written! A tribute to girl power!
January 11, 2024
3.5 stars. A quite interesting glimpse at the very beginning of high school sports for girls in Minnesota. Two hs girls wanted to play hs sports and went to court to try to make that happen. The court decision became a national legal precedent which ultimately led to the inclusion of sports and athletics in the newly enacted civil rights law, Title IX.
February 8, 2023
As a Tech graduate and tennis player it was fun to read about Peggy and her battle to play on the tennis team and the history of women's sports in MN. It brought me back as it described the 6 inch T letter one got from playing sports.
April 9, 2023
A well researched and great story! I am so glad I pre-ordered the book after listening to an interview on the radio. As a student athlete in the late 80s/early 90s, thank you to Peggy & Toni for recognizing & asking for their chance and ultimately helping for all of us to get a chance too.
May 21, 2024
Excellent and well researched and written. Provides an insight into why I never played HS sports. My wise mother pointed me in other directions.
August 21, 2024
Important historical information, but a dry read.
October 14, 2024
Quick and excellent read detailing an important chapter in history that helped change the face of sports for girls everywhere.
January 22, 2025
So many thanks go to Peggy Brenden and Toni St. Pierre for helping to change the world and going against what was popular to do what was right
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November 15, 2025A great history on title ix
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews