I Am WomanHelen Reddy (1971)

I Am WomanHelen Reddy (1971)

The Struggle for Gender Equality in the 1960s and 1970s

The Struggle for Gender Equality in the 1960s and 1970s

The Status of WomenThe Status of Women Executive Order 10980 Presidential Commission on

the Status of Women (PCSW)

Eleanor Roosevelt, Chair Research and report on

status of women Two-year deadline

Executive Order 10980 Presidential Commission on

the Status of Women (PCSW)

Eleanor Roosevelt, Chair Research and report on

status of women Two-year deadline

The Status of WomenThe Status of Women

1963 Report Women discriminated against in workplace Women need paid maternity leave "one of the most pervasive limitations is the

social climate in which women choose what they prepare themselves to do."

However, re-affirmed traditional role of woman as wife and mother in combating communism

1963 Report Women discriminated against in workplace Women need paid maternity leave "one of the most pervasive limitations is the

social climate in which women choose what they prepare themselves to do."

However, re-affirmed traditional role of woman as wife and mother in combating communism

Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

Do women have a “traditional role” that should be maintained?

Do women have a “traditional role” that should be maintained?

Gains for WomenGains for Women

Equal Pay Act of 1963 Guaranteed equal pay for equal work Better for economy

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964) Prohibits employment discrimination based on

sex (as well as race, religion or national origin)

Equal Pay Act of 1963 Guaranteed equal pay for equal work Better for economy

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964) Prohibits employment discrimination based on

sex (as well as race, religion or national origin)

Gains for WomenGains for Women

National Organization for Women (NOW) Founded in 1966 Pressed for reforms recommended by PCSW

Title IX, 1972 Prohibits discrimination based on sex in all

aspects of education Including sports

National Organization for Women (NOW) Founded in 1966 Pressed for reforms recommended by PCSW

Title IX, 1972 Prohibits discrimination based on sex in all

aspects of education Including sports

The Feminine MystiqueThe Feminine Mystique Written by Betty Friedan

Put the lie to the “Happy Housewife” of the 1950s

Book initiated the “second wave of feminism”

Written by Betty Friedan

Put the lie to the “Happy Housewife” of the 1950s

Book initiated the “second wave of feminism”

The Feminine MystiqueThe Feminine Mystique

"The problem that has no name — which is simply the fact that American women are kept from growing to their full human capacities — is taking a far greater toll on the physical and mental health of our country than any known disease."

Betty FriedanBetty Friedan After book release became

figurehead of women’s movement

Co-founder and first president of NOW

Co-founder of National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws (NARAL)

After book release became figurehead of women’s movement

Co-founder and first president of NOW

Co-founder of National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws (NARAL)

Gloria SteinemGloria Steinem Journalist Worked as Playboy

Bunny to research how women were treated

Feminist spokesperson

Founded “Ms.” Magazine

Journalist Worked as Playboy

Bunny to research how women were treated

Feminist spokesperson

Founded “Ms.” Magazine

Reproductive RightsReproductive Rights 1960: Birth Control Pill gets

FDA approval

1965: Griswold v. Connecticut State cannot prohibit access to

birth controls

1973: Roe v. Wade Abortion legal in first trimester

1960: Birth Control Pill gets FDA approval

1965: Griswold v. Connecticut State cannot prohibit access to

birth controls

1973: Roe v. Wade Abortion legal in first trimester

Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

Why were reproductive rights so important to the feminist cause?

Why were reproductive rights so important to the feminist cause?

Equal Rights AmendmentEqual Rights Amendment

“Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.”

“Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.”

Equal Rights AmendmentEqual Rights Amendment Originally written by

Alice Paul Passed by Congress in

1972 Proposed 27th

Amendment Initial success with

ratification Stalled in mid 70s

Originally written by Alice Paul

Passed by Congress in 1972

Proposed 27th Amendment

Initial success with ratification

Stalled in mid 70s

Phyllis SchlaflyPhyllis Schlafly Founder of the Eagle Forum

“pro-family” Antifeminist

Launched “Stop ERA” movement

Very popular in conservative regions

“What I am defending is the real rights of women. A woman should have the right to be in the home as a wife and mother.”

Founder of the Eagle Forum “pro-family” Antifeminist

Launched “Stop ERA” movement

Very popular in conservative regions

“What I am defending is the real rights of women. A woman should have the right to be in the home as a wife and mother.”

Gay Civil RightsGay Civil Rights

Stonewall Riots (June 28, 1969) Patrons of New York

gay bar protest police harassment

3 days of riots ensue Marked as birth of

the visible gay rights movement

Stonewall Riots (June 28, 1969) Patrons of New York

gay bar protest police harassment

3 days of riots ensue Marked as birth of

the visible gay rights movement

Gay Civil RightsGay Civil Rights

Harvey Milk (1930-78)San Francisco

First openly gay city official elected in United States

Murdered in 1978 by fellow Supervisor

Harvey Milk (1930-78)San Francisco

First openly gay city official elected in United States

Murdered in 1978 by fellow Supervisor

By 1980sBy 1980sHomosexuality still illegal in

most statesAIDS crisis hits gay men

hardest shows depth of prejudice and

indifferenceThings don’t really start to

change until the 1990s

Homosexuality still illegal in most states

AIDS crisis hits gay men hardest shows depth of prejudice and

indifferenceThings don’t really start to

change until the 1990s

TodayToday