The story of women's work in gainful employment is a story of constant changes or shifting of

work and workshop, accompanied by long hours, low wages,

insanitary conditions, overwork, and the want on the part of the

woman of training, skill, and vital interest in her work.

— Ibid.

In 1756, Lydia Taft, became the first legal

female voter in America.

In 1778, Deborah Samson disguised herself as a young

male and enlisted in the Army. She served

a three year term under the identity of

Robert Shirliffe.

1815- Ada Byron Lovelace -First

computer programmer

In later years, Ada’s computer program was utilized to engineer the first computer.

1818- Lucy Stone -First woman to earn a college

degree

1820- Woman’s Bureau of the Department of Labor is

formed to collect information about woman

in the workforce and safeguard good working conditions for woman.

1849- Elizabeth Blackwell became the first female physician in the U.S.

1869- Wyoming passes the first woman’s right

law. The following year, woman begin serving on

juries.

1872- Susan B. Anthony is arrested for attempting to vote

1912- Juliette Gordon Law founded Girl Scouts of America

1903- WTUL (The National Woman’s Trade League) is established to

advocate for improved wages and working conditions for woman

1917- Loretta Walsh was the first legal

female to enlist her services in the United

States military

In 1920, the 19th Amendment was

added to the United States Constitution

providing equal rights to vote regardless of

gender.

1921- Amelia Earhart- First Female Pilot

1934- Edith Houghton -First female hired as a major league baseball

scout

1963- Congress passes the Equal Pay Act, making it illegal for employers to pay a

woman less than what a man would receive

for the same job

1966- NOW (The National Organization for Woman) is founded. It was the largest woman’s rights group in the

U.S. and serves to end sexual discrimination,

especially in the workplace, by means of lobbying, litigation, and public

demonstration.

1967- Muriel “Mickey” Seibert becomes first female to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange

and first woman to head one of its members firms

1971- Ms. Magazine, the first magazine geared toward

woman is published. 300,000 copies are sold out in 8 days. Today it is a major forum for

feminine views.

1974- The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits

discrimination in consumer credit practices on the basis of

sex, race, marital status, religion, national origin, or

receipt of public assistance.

1981- Congress approves National Women’s History

Week

1987- National Woman’s History Week is expanded.

March becomes National Woman’s History Month.

1988- Jackie Joyner Kersee becomes the first

female to win two Olympic gold metals

Today women comprise 46% of the total U.S. labor force and are projected to

account for 47% of the labor force in 2014.

The intrinsic value of work, the ability to have an impact and operate in relationship

with others, seem to motivate women more than anything else -- more than climbing to the top, more than financial reward, more than power for

power's sakes.

— Virginia O'Brien (1946-; American nonfiction writer), Success on Our Own Terms: Tales of Extraordinary, Ordinary Businesswomen, 1998

In my apron I carry nails, pliers, a heavy hammer, and pride.

— Moira Bachman (fl. 1940s; American labor activist), Organization for Equal Education of the Sexes, n.d.

If I'd observed all the rules, I'd never have

got anywhere.- Marilyn Monroe

Every great dream begins with a

dreamer. Always remember, you have

within you the strength, the

patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change

the world.- Harriet Tubman

Chaos is a friend of mine.

- Bob Dylan

What I do you cannot do; but what you do,

I cannot do. The needs are great, and none of us, including

me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with

great love, and together we can do

something wonderful.

- Mother Teresa