Regents Review Topic: Women

Thematic essay topics that can be used from the information from today’s review class. Reform movements – Women’s rights movement – Abolitionist movement – Temperance Movement Key individuals- Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul, Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem Major Laws- Civil Rights Act 1964; Equal Pay Act, Title IX, Amendments- 19 th (suffrage) and 18 th (temperance) Supreme Court cases- Roe v. Wade

1820 Abolition Movement Desire to end slavery Harriet Tubman – conductor on Underground Railroad Sojourner Truth

1848 Women’s Right Convention Seneca Falls, NY Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott Declaration of Sentiments – – Goal – to end legal inequalities faced by married women (property, earnings, divorce, children, inheritance etc) 1853 Susan B. Anthony joins in drive for women’s rights – Now goal – right of women to vote in national elections. (At this time, some states allowed women to vote in state elections.)

Industrialization Late 1800-early 1900 Many changes in nation as people move to cities (urbanization) Women began taking more jobs outside the home- (this was not traditional) – Earned needed money – Desire to play a greater role in society – This led to added stress as traditional duties continued

continued New jobs for women due to invention of typewriter and telephone Educated women – teachers, social workers, doctors, lawyers Women grow in workforce – From 2.6 million to 7 million – Conditions they experienced led to desire to seek changes – Needed right to vote in order to get those changes – Now focus on women’s suffrage movement

Women’s Temperance Union Sought to ban alcohol 1851 – Maine bans alcohol but issue of slavery becomes main issue in nation 1870s the movement resumes and the WCTU is formed 1916 – 21 states banned alcohol sales Carry A. Nation of Kansas – smashing bars 18 th Amendment bans alcohol in nation until repealed with 21 st amendment. There had been more crime with this unsuccessful ban.

World War I Women take on greater role in workforce Men are away at war Later this helps them win suffrage

Women’s Suffrage Movement Iron Jawed Angels story: Carrie Chapman Catt- president of National American Woman Suffrage Association – Focused on winning right to vote at state level Alice Paul – more militant approach – Mass pickets, parades, hunger strikes – Formed National Women’s Party – Focused on an amendment to Constitution for women’s suffrage 19 th Amendment passes in 1920 –

Progressive era – other issues Margaret Sanger – Advocated (supported) birth control education – Planned Parenthood formed

1920s – Roaring twenties Modern vs Traditional values clash Women in Workforce – million women working (22% of workforce) – Most working women were single, widowed or divorced – Often in gender stereotyped jobs such as secretary, telephone operators, beauticians – Lower paying, lower status jobs Gain: Women’s Bureau in federal Dept of Labor

1920 continued Equal Rights Amendment – 1923 – Proposed by Alice Paul – Mixed support – Did not pass Daily Life – Most women expected to do traditional jobs at home. – New appliances meant more expectations for clean home Flappers; new haircuts; shorter skirts; independent lifestyle;

1940s Women take on new roles in war-related industries – Rosie the Riveter – Run the busses – Deliver milk, ice, coal etc. – Keep country running – Victory gardens, canning, war bond drives

1960s- New Women’s Rights Movement 1963 – Betty Friedan writes The Feminine Mystique – Argues that society had forced women out of the job market and back into the home after WWII – Said not all women were content with the role of homemaker and that more job opportunities should be open to women

1960s – laws/ organizations Equal Pay Act forbids discrimination in pay on basis of gender/sex. Civil Rights Act of 1964 bars (forbids) job discrimination on the basis of sex (and race) NOW (National Organization for Women) formed to push for legislation (laws) guaranteeing equality for women. Founded by Betty Friedan

1970s Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) – “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged (changed) by the United States or any state on account of sex.” – Did not pass – There was a growing reaction against feminism by people who feared it threatened the traditional role of women – People cited the growing divorce rates and abortions as threats to traditional values Equal Opportunity Act 1972 requires employees to pay equal wages for equal work Title IX 1972 – gave female college athletes the right to the same financial support as male athletes

1973 – Roe v. Wade Issue: Right to privacy Roe wanted to terminate her pregnancy but could not – abortion was illegal Said her right to privacy was violated Supreme Court ruled that a women’s right to terminate a pregnancy is constitutionally protected. – Also said states could only limit abortion after first 6 months of pregnancy – Challenges to this ruling continue. – Many states have put additional restrictions on women’s right to terminate a pregnancy. This is allowed in many cases

Affirmative action Taking position steps to eliminate the effects of past discrimination in hiring. Often meant to give preference to members of some groups (women, African Americans etc) when hiring or accepting applicants to schools Still being debated.

Glass Ceiling Term used to describe a mid-level position to which women might be promoted in many jobs but which allowed women to see upper- level job positions that were held by men and were not really open to women. This unspoken discrimination occurred (occurs) in all types of employment.

1980s and 1990s Women’s groups demand legal protection against physical and mental abuse Ask that more medical research include women Lawsuits protest sexual harassment

Key political women of this era Geraldine Ferraro – first woman to run for Vice President (Dem or Rep) with Walter Mondale in 1984