Times are a Changing

Women’s Movement  1960 The Food and Drug Administration approves birth control pills.  Commission on the Status of Women - documents substantial discrimination against women in the workplace

Women’s Movement  Betty Friedan publishes her highly influential book The Feminine Mystique, which describes the dissatisfaction felt by middle-class American housewives with the narrow role imposed on them by society.

Women’s Movement  Congress passes the Equal Pay Act making it illegal for employers to pay a woman less than what a man would receive for the same job  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act bars discrimination in employment on the basis of race and sex. At the same time it establishes the EEOC to investigate complaints and impose penalties

The Time is NOW  The National Organization for Women (NOW) is founded by a group of feminists. The largest women's rights group in the U.S

It’s Not My Fault!  California becomes the first state to adopt a "no fault" divorce law, which allows couples to divorce by mutual consent. By 1985 every state has adopted a similar law. Laws are also passed regarding the equal division of common property.

Sir, It’s Ms.  Ms. Magazine is first published as a sample insert in New York magazine; 300,000 copies are sold out in 8 days. The first regular issue is published in July  Editor Gloria Steinem is launched as an icon of the modern feminist movement.

1972 A Year To Remember  The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. Originally drafted by Alice Paul in 1923, the amendment reads: "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." The amendment died in 1982 when it failed to achieve ratification by a minimum of 38 states.

1972 A Year To Remember  Title IX of the Education Amendments bans sex discrimination in schools. "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 educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."

I’d Like a little Controversy with my History  As a result of Roe v. Wade the Supreme Court establishes a woman's right to safe and legal abortion, overriding the anti- abortion laws of many states.

She’s Too Fragile to Work  The Pregnancy Discrimination Act bans employment discrimination against pregnant women. Under the Act, a woman cannot be fired or denied a job or a promotion because she is or may become pregnant, nor can she be forced to take a pregnancy leave if she is willing and able to work.

Chicano Movement  1962 United Farm Workers Organizing Committee, led by Cesar Chavez is initiated as an independent organization in Delano, California.  Late Nov.-Dec. 1965: The United Farm Workers Organizing Committee initiates a national table grape boycott.

“There is so much human potential wasted by poverty, so many children are forced to quit school and go to work.” César E. Chávez “It’s ironic that those who till the soil, cultivate and harvest fruits and vegetables and other foods that fill your tables with abundance have nothing left for themselves.” César E. Chávez

Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta  Feb. 15, 1968 – March : Response to violent repression on Farm workers leads Cesar Chavez to begin a 25-day fast to keep the farm worker movement non-violent.  Creates the United Farm Workers with Dolores Huerta, a college educated activist  He’ll continue to work for the migrant workers until his death in 1993  Ms. Huerta continues to this day working for the benefit of the working poor.

The Student Revolt  United Mexican American Students(UMAS) and the Black Student Union(BSU) unite, and Rosalio Munoz is voted in, becoming the first Chicano elected as the University of California at Los Angeles' Student Body President

La Raza Unida  Apr. 1970: La Raza Unida Party emerges out of Texas and dominates the local elections in Crystal City, TX.  Sep. 1-4, 1972: La Raza Unida Party holds its national convention.

American Indian Movement  July American Indian Movement (AIM) is founded in Minneapolis to protect the city's Native community from police abuse and to create job training and housing and education programs  November 20, The 19-month occupation of Alcatraz begins when approximately American Indians - mostly college students - take over the island.

American Indian Movement  November American Indian Movement (AIM) paints Plymouth Rock red and occupies the Mayflower replica on Thanksgiving Day.  July 4, AIM stages a Fourth of July counter-celebration by occupying the Mount Rushmore National Monument.

Great White Father, Guess What?  November AIM organizes The Trail of Broken Treaties; more than 2,000 Indians go to Washington on the eve of the presidential election to present Nixon with a 20-point program. They occupy the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) headquarters for seven days, demanding that the U.S. recognize tribal self- determination.

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee Pt. II  February 27 - May 8, Wounded Knee II - When members of the Lakota Sioux tribe on the Pine Ridge reservation attempt to have Dick Wilson impeached, they receive resistance from the federal government, which wants to keep him in power.  Led by leader Russell Means, AIM seizes control of Wounded Knee (site of the 1890 massacre) and the perimeter is placed under siege for 71 days. More than 500,000 rounds of ammunition are fired into AIM's bunkers. Two Indians and one FBI agent are killed. Nearly 1,200 people are arrested.