History of the Womens Rights Movement 1848 present

History of the Women’s Rights Movement 1848 – present

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. -- Margaret Mead

Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire. -- Reggie Leach

Women themselves made these changes happen, very deliberately. n n n Meetings Petition drives Lobbying Public speaking Nonviolent resistance

The modern women’s rights movement can be divided into three “waves” n 1848 to 1920 n 1960 s and 1970 s n 1990 s to the present

Important events, 1848 – 1920 n

First Women’s Rights Convention n n July 1848 Seneca Falls, NY Attended by 300+ people Organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott Inspired by attending abolitionist convention in London n

Declaration of Sentiments n n n Modeled after the Declaration of Independence Listed 18 areas where women were treated unjustly Called for legal reforms that would give women more rights, including suffrage

n n Frederick Douglass argued: “Suffrage is the power to choose rulers and make laws, and the right by which all others are secured. ”

The Declaration ends: n “In entering upon the great work before us, we anticipate no small amount of misconception, misrepresentation, and ridicule; but we shall use every instrumentality within our power to effect our object. ”

Early leaders n Elizabeth Cady Stanton n n Began career as an abolitionist Accomplished at a young age, but father told her, “My daughter, you should have been a boy. ” Spent honeymoon at London anti-slavery convention Raised 7 children

Early leaders n Susan B. Anthony n n Grew up in Quaker family that supported equal rights for men and women Began career in the temperance movement Convinced that women needed political rights and economic rights Expanded women’s rights movement nationally

Different approaches n National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) n n n Founded in 1890 First two presidents: Stanton and Anthony Led by Carrie Chapman Catt in early 20 c Nonpartisan, local approach Tried to get state legislatures to give women the vote By 1901, just four states had given women full voting rights

Different approaches n National Woman’s Party n n n Founded in 1914 by Alice Paul & Lucy Burns National strategy (not state-by-state) Goal: constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote

Alice Paul n n n Militant young Quaker activist Adopted the attention-getting protest tactics used by British suffragists n n 1917: round-the-clock picketing of the White House (even in time of war); she held the “party in power” responsible for not passing suffrage Women chained themselves to railings Many were arrested Hunger strikes in prison

th 19 n n n amendment 1919: Congress proposed 19 th amendment 1920: 19 th amendment is ratified NAWSA ceases to exist, but becomes nucleus of League of Women Voters n

Iron Jawed Angels n n HBO Films, 2004 Alice Paul & Lucy Burns Inez Mulholland led the 1913 suffrage parade in Washington, DC In the movie, she wears white wings, a reference to the angel figure many suffragists used in their imagery (idealized version of justice and liberty)

Iron Jawed Angels n n n 1917: daily picket line outside the White House (first in American history) Continued even after U. S. entered WWI; public considered them traitors Called Wilson “Kaiser” in one famous banner

The 1960 s and 1970 s The Second Wave of Activism What got things started in the 1960 s?

Commission on the Status of Women n n Chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt Issued a report in 1963 that documented discrimination against women in virtually every area of American life n

The Feminine Mystique n n n Written by Betty Friedan in 1963 Documents the emotional and intellectual oppression that middle-class educated women were experiencing because of limited life options

From The Feminine Mystique n “Each suburban wife struggled with it alone. As she made the beds, shopped for groceries, matched slipcover material, ate peanut butter sandwiches with her children, chauffered Cub Scouts and Brownies, lay beside her husband at night — she was afraid to ask even of herself the silent question — ‘Is this all? ’”

n Friedan’s book inspired thousands of women to look for fulfillment beyond the role of homemaker.

Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act n n Prohibited employment discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, and national origin Created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission n

National Organization for Women (NOW) n n n Formed in 1966 Civil rights organization for women, similar to the NAACP

Grassroots Projects that started in the 1960 s and 1970 s n n Women’s newspapers, bookstores, and cafes Women’s shelters and rape crisis hotlines Child care centers Women’s health clinics

Title IX n n n Part of the Education Codes of 1972 Ensured equal access to higher education Prohibits sex discrimination in all aspects of education programs that receive federal support

Title IX n n Had a big impact on women’s sports Schools now had to offer equal access to athletics for its female students

Equal Rights Amendment is re-introduced n “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. ”

ERA n n n In 1972, Congress finally passed the ERA and sent it to the states for ratification This was a local issue, since states had to decide individually Marches, house meetings, door-todoor n

Opposition to the ERA n n Anti-ERA movement led by Phyllis Schlafly Feared that a statement like the ERA in the Constitution would give the government too much control over our personal lives n

The End of the ERA n n Deadline for ratification came in 1982 The ERA was just 3 states short of the 38 needed to write it into the U. S. Constitution n

n

Some of today’s women’s rights issues n n Women’s reproductive rights. Whether or not women can terminate pregnancies is still controversial 40+ years after the Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade. Women’s enrollment in military academies and service in active combat. Are these desirable?

And more issues. . . n The mommy track. Should businesses accommodate women’s family responsibilities, or should women compete evenly for advancement with men, most of whom still assume fewer family obligations?

And there’s more. . . n n Sexual harassment. Just where does flirting leave off and harassment begin? Women in politics. Is the United States ready for a female president?

And finally. . . Just what exactly does it mean to be a “feminist”? n

Some definitions of feminism n n n The belief that society is disadvantageous to women, systematically depriving them of individual choice, political power, economic opportunity and intellectual recognition. Movement in support of the view that men and women should have equal social value and status. A doctrine that advocates equal rights for women

Quotes about feminism n n “People call me feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat or a prostitute. ” Rebecca West n n “Feminism is doomed to failure because it is based on an attempt to repeal and restructure human nature. ” Phyllis Schlafly

More quotes n n “I wanted to be the first woman to burn her bra, but it would have taken the fire department four days to put it out. ” n n n Dolly Parton n “Some of us are becoming the men we wanted to marry. ” Gloria Steinem “Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less. ” Susan B Anthony

Images of Feminism Is this what you thought it was?

n

n

n

n

n

n

n