The Women’s Movement

Pg. 764-769By Chad Kenitzer

&Lexi Kerns

The Women’s Movement

Into the 60’sThe fifties had been primarily a time of

prosperity and security

Not all groups had participated equally

The sixties became a time for activism

Different social groups seized the opportunity to have their voices heard

“I am woman, hear me roar

In numbers too big to ignoreAnd I know too much to go back and pretend

Yes, I’ve paid the priceBut look how much I gained

If I have to, I can do anything

I am strong I am invincible

I am woman.”

- Helen Reddy

Feminism

Women’s rights began well before 1960

In the 1800’s, Women had worked towards voting and equality in work and education

FEMINISM: The theory of political, economic, and social equality of the sexes

The feminist movement sought to change the traditional role of women

i.e cooking, cleaning, raising children

Education and EmploymentIn 1950, only of all Bachelor of Arts degrees were earned

by Women

Twenty years later, following World War 2, that percentage grew to 43%

Educated women had high hopes but were discouraged by discrimination in their jobs

Some employees refused to hire women because they believed a woman’s place was in the home

Working women were paid only a fraction(59%) of what men made for doing identical work and that number was dropping even further.

The Civil Rights MovementThe Civil Rights campaign became a “how-

to” model for the Women’s movement.

It provided legal tools such as the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

As an attempt to make the bill sound ridiculous, an opponent of Civil Rights suggested the bill protect rights based on sex.

To their astonishment, the suggestion was taken and the amended bill passed.

The Feminine Mystique

Written by Betty Frieden in 1963

It addressed women who had everything society said they should want

It described dissatisfied housewives who met in secret to discuss their lives and role in society

Many women at the time did so in kitchens and living rooms.

N.O.W.

Growing number of women were recognizing sexism

In 1966, 28 professional women including Friedan formed NOW (National Organization for Women)

These were frustrated women willing to pressure the Equal Employment Opportunity committee

The organization sought equal pay and job opportunity and the sharing of parenting and household responsibilities with men

A year after being founded, there were 1000 members.

Only four years later, there were 15,000 members

Impact of Feminism

In August 1970, a New York City march celebrating the 50th anniversary of women’s suffrage drew tens of thousands of supporters.

More women began identifying themselves as feminists

A women’s health handbook was published called Our Bodies, Ourselves.

In 1972, Journalist Gloria Steinem and several other women founded Ms. Magazine, which provided arguments and issues regarding the feminist movement

A Shift in Attitudes

• In 1972 congress passed a new law that would prohibit sex discrimination

• Also in 1972 a woman by the name of Shirley Chisholm ran for president and won 152 delegates votes before dropping out of the race

• Many women did not actually participate in the movement• The movement was focused on helping of the homeless women and

child care facilities, along with a bring down in sexual harassment

Roe Vs. Wade

• Abortion was legalized after this act

• During the case the justices based on the decision were that you are allowed to have an abortion during the first three months of pregnancy

• Though the courts decided this states could also choose to not allow abortion during the later stages of pregnancy

The Equal Rights Amendment

• The ERA was approved in 1972 to the constitution

• 35 states ratified it quickly and in 1977 it seemed like it would be passed but when the deadline came in 1982 the amendment died

Opposition to the Women’s Movement

• A women named Phyllis Schlafly led a national block for the ERA and said that it was because the amendment would do nothing

• Schlafly was not alone in her opposition to the ERA• A lot of women protested by staying at home and raising

children• Some women thought that the ERA was degrading to

them • Blacks also thought that sex discrimination was less

important than racial discrimination, that led to the thought that they were being encouraged to give up homemaking and take undesirable paid jobs