The Womens Movement

1
The Womens Movement

• 1963-1982

2
Background

• 1840s and 1850s many women who were involved in
  the abolition of slavery movement were also
  active in the woman suffrage movement that
  culminated in 1920 with the passage of the 19th
  amendment
• During the 1950s and 1960s many women who were
  involved in the Civil Rights movement were also
  active in the Womens Rights movement

3
Important Books

• 1852- Harriet Beecher Stowes book Uncle Toms
  Cabin published
• Catalyst for the antislavery movement
• 1963- Betty Friedans book The Feminine Mystique
  published
• Catalyst for the Womens Rights Movement

4
The Feminine Mystique

• The feminine mystique made the homemaker-mother
  of the past the only role for women
• Taught that women were by nature passive,
  nurturing, and subservient to men
• Woe and ridicule to any women that wanted to
  change her traditional role

5
The Beginning of Change

• 1963- Commission on the Status of Women Report
• Main idea- discrimination against women was
  widespread
• Made recommendations for federal government
  action including equal pay for equal work

6
Equal Pay Act

• Passed by Congress in 1963
• Many employers did not comply with its provisions
• By 1970- 43 of women over 16 were working but
  only 56 earned the equivalent of men the same
  age and education
• Average female college graduates earned less than
  the average male high school graduates

7
Civil Rights Act

• Passed in 1964
• Prohibited discrimination because of race,
  color,religion,national origin and sex
• Established the Equal Employment Opportunity
  Commission

8
National Organization for Women

• Organized in 1966
• Betty Friedan- 1st President
• Wanted help for working parents
• Call for child care centers
• Tax reduction for child care expenses
• Maternity leave benefits
• Urged the adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment

9
Equal Rights Amendment

• Equality of rights under the law shall not be
  denied or abridged by the United States or by any
  states on account of sex
• 1972- passed by Congress
• Needed the approval of 38 states to be ratified
  within 7 years

10
Opposition and Defeat

• Did not want to lose special treatment of women
  in divorce proceedings
• Believed it would destroy the traditional family
  unit
• Believed it would mean the abolishment of
  separate bathrooms,the drafting of women into
  military service and women in combat
• 1979- Only 35 states had ratified
• Congress extended the ratification time until
  1982
• 1982- the proposed 27th amendment died