"The National Organization for Women challenges the National Honor Society to support teen mothers who excel academically. It is in the best interest of young women and their children to encourage academic excellence and continuing education for the teens," Ireland said.
Somer Chipman and Chasity Glass allege that, despite having grade point averages that were near straight A's and meeting other criteria, they were banned from the National Honor Society because they had sex and became pregnant. Male students apparently are not held to the same standard according to attorneys for Chipman and Glass who have challenged the organization's decision in court.
"We must not tolerate a double standard for young women and men when it comes to premarital sex. Punishing young mothers is clearly sex discrimination and a violation of Title IX," Ireland said.
Ireland also expressed concerns about the assault on the reproductive freedom of young women. "The community should support the decisions of young women who face unintended pregnancies – including the decision to carry a pregnancy to term. Every woman, regardless of age, should have the full range of reproductive choices," Ireland concluded.