Via CBR, a look at a progressive Peanuts’ Charlie Brown comic from 1 October 1979 that focused on equality in sports:

In perhaps Schulz’s most direct confrontation of a political issue, he uses Peppermint Patty as an avatar for the feelings present for the female athletes of America. Patty had already inspired millions of little girls to pursue sports. One of those little girls happened to be Justine Siegal, who would grow up to be the first woman to coach in Major League Baseball.

As an open supporter of female athletes, Schulz uses Patty to criticize the state of equality in women’s sports. The passage of Title IX, a law that gave female athletes more rights and privileges, was coming too slowly. So, Schulz rallied with a multi-day story arc that advocated for women’s rights. Peppermint Patty demanded better treatment. From 1950 to 2000, Peanuts saw women’s sports slowly yet surely gain the respect they rightfully deserved.