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The Women’s Movement
Chapter 6, Theme B
Why have Women faced
Discrimination?
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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.
Needed protection to perpetuate families.
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. . .”
The first signatures on
the Declaration of
Sentiments.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton,
Click for The Declaration of
Sentiments Full text
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.”
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It was ratified on August 18th, 1920.
The 1st Equal Rights Amendment
“Men and women shall have equal
rights throughout the United States and
every place subject to its jurisdiction.”
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It was first introduced to Congress in 1923.
Made all forms of discrimination based on
sex illegal.
Never passed in Congress.
Women’s Revolution of 1960s
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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
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Sparked by the development of the
birth-control pill in 1960
Martin Luther King Jr. giving his
"I Have A Dream“, 1963
National Organization for Women (NOW)
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Founded in 1966.
Founded by a group of
people, including Betty
Friedan, and Rev. Pauli
Murray.
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The first AfricanAmerican woman
Episcopal priest.
Betty Friedan became
the organization's first
president.
Goals of Women’s Movement
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NOW’s goal was to gain equality for women.
Campaigned to gain passage of new ERA
amendment.
Issues for NOW:
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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.
Equal Pay Act 1963
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First federal law prohibiting sexual discrimination.
It abolished wage differences based on sex.
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“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? Use CT Exercises!
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
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Passed in 1964.
It banned discrimination in employment on the basis of color,
race, national origin, religion, or sex.
Title VII set up the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) to enforce the act.
Griswold v. Connecticut Click to
read more
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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.
Held that Connecticut must
allow married couples to
purchase and use birth
control.
Chief Justice
Earl Warren
(top), Estelle
Griswold (right)
Roe v. Wade Click to read
more
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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) Read more!
The Equal Rights Amendment
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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
Title IX Click to read more
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?
Can laws make gender
distinctions?
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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. This is also
known as the immediate scrutiny test.
Other Challenges
In what 2 ways do the courts define sexual
harassment?
1. Quid pro quo (This for that!)
2. Hostile work environment
EEOC investigates allegations
 Courts have been inconsistent in the
rulings.
What’s due & when
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Finish chapter 6 reading. Take notes.
Complete the CT packet on Affirmative
Action. Due Thursday.
Friday is an early release and an AllGovernment day. We will do several
debates to get ready for your test on
Tuesday, November 3rd!