The Women’s Movement

1. The Women’s Movement Chapter 6, Theme C

2. Why have Women faced Discrimination? • Historically, women have been considered intellectually inferior to men. • They were seen as major sources of temptation and evil. • Women were also considered naturally weaker than men…have you seen this week’s blog?? • Needed protection to perpetuate families.

3. Seneca Falls Convention Held, 1848 “. . . The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her. . . . He has never permitted her to exercise her inalienable right to the elective franchise. He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she has no voice. . .” Elizabeth Cady Stanton, The Declaration of Sentiments The first signatures on the Declaration of Sentiments.

4. 19th Amendment “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” • It was ratified on August 18th, 1920.

6. The 1st Equal Rights Amendment “Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction.” • It was first introduced to Congress in 1923. • Made all forms of discrimination based on sex illegal. • Never passed in Congress.

7. Women’s Revolution of 1960s • The Women's Rights Movement of the 1960s was a second wave of activism. • The women's movement of the 1960s drew inspiration from the civil rights movement • It was largely made up of members of the middle class • It was also caused by the sexual revolution of the 1960s • Sparked by the development of the birth-control pill in 1960 Martin Luther King Jr. giving his"I Have A Dream“, 1963

8. Equal Pay Act 1963 • First federal law prohibiting sexual discrimination. • It abolished wage differences based on sex. • “No employer having employees subject to any provisions of this section [section 206 of title 29 of the United States Code] shall discriminate, within any establishment in which such employees are employed, between employees on the basis of sex by paying wages to employees in such establishment at a rate less than the rate at which he pays wages to employees of the opposite sex in such establishment for equal work on jobs…” -- Equal Pay Act • In 1963 the average female worker’s wages in the US were equivalent to 58.9 % of the average male worker’s earnings. • How has this changed? Go over CT Exercises!

9. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 • Passed in 1964. • It banned discrimination on the basis of color, race, national origin, religion, or sex. • Section VII set up the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to enforce the act.

10. Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) • Estelle Griswold was the executive director of Planned Parenthood League. • The case involved a Connecticut law that prohibited the use of contraceptives. • Ruled that the Constitution protected a right to privacy. • Found that Connecticut should allow married couples to use birth control. Chief Justice Earl Warren (top), Estelle Griswold (right)

11. National Organization for Women (NOW) • Founded in 1966. • Founded by a group of people, including Betty Friedan, and Rev. Pauli Murray. • The first African-American woman Episcopal priest. • Betty Friedan became the organization's first president.

12. Goals of Women’s Movement NOW’s goal was to gain equality for women. Campaigned to gain passage of new ERA amendment. Issues for NOW: Eliminate discrimination and harassment in the workplace, schools, and the justice system. Secure abortion, birth control & reproductive rights End all forms of violence against women Eradicate racism, sexism and homophobia Promote equality and justice in society.

13. The Equal Rights Amendment • The ERA was approved by more than 2/3 of Congress in 1972 & sent to states • 35 states ratified it quickly and in 1977 it seemed like it would be passed. • Women’s groups were divided over it • The deadline came in 1982, by just one state, the amendment failed

14. Roe v. Wade • Handed down in 1972. • Legalized abortion with few restrictions. Mainly, 1st trimester limits. • Used Griswold decision as a precedent • Remains controversial. • Many test cases have further restricted access, but have not overturned the right. Ex. Webster v. RHS (1989) & Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992)

15. Title IX In 1972, Congress included Title IX in the Higher Education Act, providing, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal assistance.” Debate the pros & cons of this law. Is it still needed?

16. Can laws make gender distinctions? • Yes, first allowed in Reed v. Reed case. Established the “reasonableness standard.” • Today, the federal courts use the substantial relationship test as the standard. The government must show a very close connection between the law and its purpose.

17. Other Challenges • In what 2 ways do the courts define sexual harassment? • Quid pro quo • Hostile work environment • EEOC investigates allegations • Courts have been inconsistent in the rulings.