BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Moravian College Head Women's Soccer Coach Brienne Smith was the keynote speaker, addressing Title IX at the 2012 Lehigh Valley Girl's Soccer Scholar-Athlete Banquet sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Soccer Foundation.

You can read the Easton Express-Times coverage of the event here.

Below an excerpt from coach Smith's speech.

"My mother played the only 3 sports that her high school had to offer.  She and all the women that pushed for and supported the passing of Title IX paved the way for me and for so many other women.  I would not be standing here today without Title IX.  My mother was the best role model I could have asked for and I know that when I landed my first head coaching job at the collegiate level, that day, I made a dream come true for myself and for my mother. 

I wish you all the best of luck next year and I ask that you continue to use you brains, confidence and assertiveness to help women close the gender gap.  We have come so far and I hope that your generation will be the generation of women that breaks the glass ceiling and makes gender inequality a thing of the past!"