The Women’s Movement 1960-1973

Myth’s about the Women’s Movement Myth- Women burned their bras Truth- Women protested against anything that symbolized them as beauty objects. They created “Freedom Trash Cans” and threw away bras, girdles, hair curlers, Playboy and Cosmo magazines.

Miss America A major protest was staged in 1968 at the Miss America Beauty Pageant because it promoted “physical attractiveness” and charm as the primary measures of a woman’s worth” (Sawhney 2004). Women especially objected to the swimsuit portion of the contest

The Women’s Lib Movement Many women believed they had been denied some basic rights and were trapped in the house. The women that were employed believed they were discriminated against on the job because of their sex.

Women Speak Out! In 1963, Betty Friedan, wrote the Feminine Mystique, which had a huge impact on women in the 1960s. Her book described how some women had become frustrated because they were expected to find fulfillment through the achievements of their husbands and children. Since the Civil Rights Movement was going on at the same time, women used this opportunity to speak out for women’s rights.

Health Issues Roe v Wade did not go into effect until 1973. Throughout the 60s, many women went underground to secret clinics and had abortions which was very dangerous. A huge achievement for women was when the Food and Drug Administration approved birth control pills.

Women in the Workplace Many women were reluctant to leave home because she felt guilty leaving the children. According to Margaret Sanger, society believed that women should stay home and take care of the children. The number of working women did increase in the 1960s. In the 1960s, there were no women bus drivers, welders, firefighters, news anchors, CEOs, or Supreme Court Justices. Women made only 60% of what a man made, or 70 cents for every dollar a man made They were often denied credit by banks to start a business.

NOW In 1966, the National Organization for Women was formed. The purpose was to seek equality for men and women within the government, employment, labor unions, civic and political organizations. Most of the members were young women college graduates. These women also had antiwar view and were in favor of Civil Rights. There was also a group of women who belonged to NOW that were more radical who challenged the male dominated power structure and who fought against women being seen as sex symbols. They also focused on issues involving violence, reproductive rights, and women and housework. NOW during the sixties failed to include minority groups, and the working class.

A little known fact During the 1960s, 13 women were secretly trained by NASA in a secret lab as astronauts, along with seven men. The program was called the “Mercury 13,” and it was scrapped because it lacked political support.

In Conclusion Women’s Rights did not stop in the 1960s. During the 70s, the ERA was proposed, and even though it was defeated in the 1982, women have made great strides.

Timeline of Events leading up to the Women’s Movement of the 1960s 1769- the husband and wife are one person 1776- Abigail Adams “Remember the Ladies” 1777- all states adopt laws to take away a women’s right to vote 1778- Deborah Sampson disguises herself as a man to fight on the battlefield in the American Revolution 1839- Mississippi grants women the right to hold property with their husband’s permission 1848- Seneca Falls- Declaration of Sentiments 1850- The first Women’s Rights Convention (Mass.) 1869- first Woman suffrage law is passed in Wyoming, and the American Woman Suffrage Association is formed 1870- women are excluded from the right to vote by the 15th amendment 1873- Bradwell v Illinois, Supreme Court rules that a state can deny a married woman from practicing law

1879- Belva Lockwood with the help of Congressional legislation is the first women to try a case before the Supreme Court 1890- Wyoming gives women the right to vote in all elections, National Americana Women’s Suffrage Association is formed 1893- Colorado is the first state to pass an amendment giving women the right to vote 1896- The National Women’s Trade Union League seeks to improve wages for women 1900- married women gain control over their property and earnings 1908- Muller v Oregon uphold 10 hr workday for women 1916- Margaret Sanger opens up the first U.S. birth control clinic 1920- Women receive federal suffrage with the 19th amendment 1923- National Women’ Party proposes Constitutional Amendment, men and women shall be equal 1932- National Recovery Act forbids more than one family member from having a government job 1938- the fair Labor Standard Act establishes minimum wage for everyone regardless of sex 1947- Fay v New York ruled women were equally qualified to serve on juries as men, but have an exemption if they choose

1960- The Food and Drug Act approves birth control 1961- Kennedy establishes President’s Commission on the Status of Women Betty Friedan publishes the Feminine Mystique 1963- Congress passes Equal Pay Act 1964- Title VII of Civil Rights Act passed (no discrimination with job opportunities regardless of sex, religion, race or color) 1965- Weeks v Southern Bell opens up jobs previously held by women Griswold v Connecticut overturn state laws prohibiting the prescription use of contraceptives by married couples 1968- Executive Order 11246 prohibits sex discrimination by government contractors and requires affirmative action plans for hiring women The EEOC rules that sex segregated help wanted ads in newspapers are illegal 1969- California becomes first state to adopt “no fault “ divorce laws 1971- Ms. Magazine is published, 300,000 copies sold in 8 days The ERA amendment passes Congress and is sent to states for ratification, which died in 1982 1972- Title IX bans discrimination in schools 1973- Supreme Court ruled in Roe v Wade that a woman has the right to a safe legal abortion