The Evolution of Women's Rights
The Woman's Rights Movement began in 1848 when the first convention on Woman's rights was held in Seneca Falls, New York. "The Declaration of Sentiments" was the resulting document set out goals for women and highlighted grievances.In the latter half of the 1800s, several events occurred that promoted woman's rights. In May of 1869, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton began the Woman's Suffrage Association to promote the right for women to vote by trying to get an amendment passed to the US Constitution. . By November of 1869, Lucy Stone and Henry Blackwell formed the American Women Suffrage Association with the same goal. In 1890, The National Woman's Suffrage Association and the American Suffrage Association combined to form the National American Woman's Suffrage Association.
Wyoming was the first territory to pass the law that allowed women to vote on December 10, 1869. Colorado was the first state to allow women to vote in 1893. By 1918, 16 states had passed laws to allow women to vote. Mary Church Terrell, Anna Julian Cooper and Josephine St. Pierre were the leading women who founded the National Association of Colored Women in 1896. This single organization combined over 100 smaller similar organizations into a powerful voice for black woman's rights.
In the early 1900s, significant gains were made for woman's rights. In 1903, the National Woman's Trade Union League was created to monitor and improve wages and working conditions for women in the workplace. By August26, 1920, Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby signed the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution allowing women to vote.
During the 1930s and 1940s, woman's rights continued to gain ground in many ways. Laws that prohibited giving out information about contraception were changed in 1936. Un until this time, discussing contraception methods was considered obscene. Using contraception was illegal, as well, in some cases. Margaret Sanger founded the American Birth Control League,
which eventually became Planned Parenthood by 1942.
By 1960 the FDA had approved birth control pills, making them available to the women of the United States. The President's Commission on the Status of Women begins a study that concludes in 1963. Led by Eleanor Roosevelt, this commission brought to light the discrimination of women in the workplace and led to many reforms. One example of this is the Equal Act of 1963, which gives women equal pay for equal work.
Discrimination in schools based on gender was abolished in 1972. Women gained the right to a safe and legal abortion because of the "Roe v. Wade" decision of the Supreme Court in 1973. Marital rape was made illegal starting with a law passed in Nebraska in 1976. And a new law in 1978 allowed women to work without discrimination due to pregnancy.
In the 1980s, it became illegal to sexually harass anyone in the workplace according to a Supreme Court ruling. In 1994, the "Violence Against Women Act" brought tougher laws for those who abuse women, as well as providing money for training police and others who help women who are raped or are victims of domestic abuse.
In 2005, a law was passed that protects women who complain about being sexually harassed in the workplace (Jackson v. Birmingham Board of Education, 2005). And most recently, the Lily Ledbeter Fair Pay Act was signed by President Obama in 2009. This act allows an employee 180 days to register a complaint against an employer who may have unfair pay issues.
By 1960 the FDA had approved birth control pills, making them available to the women of the United States. The President's Commission on the Status of Women begins a study that concludes in 1963. Led by Eleanor Roosevelt, this commission brought to light the discrimination of women in the workplace and led to many reforms. One example of this is the Equal Act of 1963, which gives women equal pay for equal work.
Discrimination in schools based on gender was abolished in 1972. Women gained the right to a safe and legal abortion because of the "Roe v. Wade" decision of the Supreme Court in 1973. Marital rape was made illegal starting with a law passed in Nebraska in 1976. And a new law in 1978 allowed women to work without discrimination due to pregnancy.
In the 1980s, it became illegal to sexually harass anyone in the workplace according to a Supreme Court ruling. In 1994, the "Violence Against Women Act" brought tougher laws for those who abuse women, as well as providing money for training police and others who help women who are raped or are victims of domestic abuse.
In 2005, a law was passed that protects women who complain about being sexually harassed in the workplace (Jackson v. Birmingham Board of Education, 2005). And most recently, the Lily Ledbeter Fair Pay Act was signed by President Obama in 2009. This act allows an employee 180 days to register a complaint against an employer who may have unfair pay issues.