1. What do these images suggest about the view of middle class women in America in the 1950s?
What can you remember about life for American women before the 1960s?

2. Feminism in the 1960s and 1970s

3. The beginning of feminism in the 1960s
During the campaign for Black civil rights, many had also realised that women in America were also being discriminated against.
The publication of The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan in 1963, however, fired up the movement.
She argued that for middle-class women the home had become a concentration camp and most women wanted to break out of this limited environment.
The book became a best seller and the phrase ‘women’s liberation’ began to be used.
What do you think women wanted to be ‘liberated’ from?
Click on book for summary.

4. Developments in the 1960s
There were a number of developments in the 1960s for women:
1963 – Equal Pay Act
The principle of equal pay for women doing the same jobs as men was established.
1964 Civil Rights Act
Gender based (as well as racial based) discrimination in employment prohibited.
1966 – National Organisation for Women created.
But did these help women?

5. Developments in the 1960s
Industry
Men
Women
% lower
Factory workers
$5,572
$3,282
59%
Service
$4,886
$2,784
57%
Sales
$7,083
$3,003
42%
Clerical
$6,220
$4,237
68%
Professional
$8,233
$5,573
Managers/
Executives
$8,658
$4,516
52%
Study these average pay figures from 1965 – the difference between women and men continued – but was bigger in some industries – why do you think that was?
Do you think the Equal Pay Act is having much impact?

6. Click on our photo for some of our earliest aims.
Developments in the 1960s
The National Organisation for Women (NOW) was set up in They created a Bill of Rights. These were all things they wanted changing in the USA, such as:
Equal Rights Constitutional Amendment.
Enforce law banning sex discrimination in employment.
Maternity leave rights in employment and social security benefits.
Tax deduction for home and childcare expenses for working parents.
Child day-care centres.
Equal and unsegregated education.
Equal job training opportunities and allowances for women in poverty.
The right of women to control their reproductive lives.
A key date was June 30th 1966, when the National Organisation for Women was created. They adopted a Bill of Rights in – something they would all fight for.
Study the Bill of Rights – are you surprised by anything that is on them?
Remember, this was made only 53 years ago, in America – the most powerful country in the world at the time.
Click on our photo for some of our earliest aims.

7. Click on photo and watch from 19:25 – 25:21
Developments in the 1960s
Protests continued throughout the late 1960s, with women threatening legal action and going on strike to persuade employers to provide better equal opportunities and wages.
Women’s liberation groups sprang up across America, with a variety of publicity generating tactics.
One famously had a “freedom trash can”, into which women could discard high-heeled shows, bras, curlers and other items they felt to be demeaning.
Parades of tens of thousands of women were soon regularly witnessed.
Many were inspired by civil rights and anti Vietnam War marches –and had been involved.
Click on photo and watch from 19:25 – 25:21

8. Click on photo for summary
Developments in the 1970s
Further developments occurred in the 1970s – not all positive:
1972 – Equal Rights Amendment – Congress passed an amendment to the constitution that “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied…on the basis of sex.”
1972 – Supreme Court rules that contraception should be legally available to unmarried couples, just like married couples – this caused a huge moral & religious outcry.
1973 – Roe vs Wade – A HUGE decision that some in America (including ex-President Bush) want to overturn. Abortion is legalised and declared a right as part of the US Constitution. This overturned laws in certain states that had prevented women from having an abortion.
This caused an even greater debate amongst groups in America – but was a huge step forward for women.
Click on photo for summary

9. Developments in the 1970s
Women’s liberation groups also campaigned against male sexism:
All men’s clubs were criticised.
Sexist magazines were publicly burnt.
Traditional women’s magazines that suggested women should only cook, raise children and tend to the home were criticised.
Beauty contests were protested against.
The large protests died down into the 1970s, but some laws were passed e.g. ensuring colleges from 1972 had equal opportunities for women.
The Miss World contest was held in London in 1970 – and British feminists picked up a few ideas from their American counterparts.

10. Did all women think this way?
In a word, no.
Not all were pro-abortion, or in favour of measures that seemed to encourage pre- marital sex.
Many women were happy with their status in society, especially if they had comfortable lifestyles – they felt the feminist movement were undermining the dignity of the role of the homemaker.
Some were worried that the ERA would lead to their daughters being drafted to the Vietnam war!
Many working class women were not interested in feminism, they just wanted equal pay.
Many religious groups used the Bible to justify male domination in the home and at work.
Click on photo for a famous argument.

11. What do these graphs suggest about the impact of the women’s movement?

12. How does yours look?
Inspired thousands of middle class women – led to development of Women’s rights
Landmark decision by Supreme Court – makes abortion legal across America. Causes outrage and jubilation.
Principle of equal pay established
To summarise – the 1960’s revitalise the women’s movement and led to basic changes in the status of women. NOW grew to 50,000 and the message was spread by magazines, groups and politicians.
Many legal developments were seen – especially in employment and birth control. The movement weakened in the 1980s, but the 1960s & 1970s changed lives for American women.
Feminine Mystique published 1963
Makes contraception legally available for unmarried couples.
Roe vs Wade 1973
Equal Pay Act 1963
Supreme Court 1972
Feminism
Gender based discrimination in employment banned.
Equal Rights Amendment 1972
Civil Rights Act 1964
Congress votes to make an amendment to the constitution to ensure women's rights protected by law. Has to be ratified by 75% of states to be confirmed.
Growth of Women’s Liberation Groups
National Organisation for Women 1966
Organised a bill of rights – set out objectives for women – inspired thousands and gave confidence to protest.
Inspired by NOW & other protests in the late 60’s, women all over America campaign for improved rights.

13. National Organisation for Women Bill of Rights
Task
National Organisation for Women Bill of Rights
Equal Rights Constitutional Amendment.
Enforce law banning sex discrimination in employment.
Maternity leave rights in employment and social security benefits.
Tax deduction for home and childcare expenses for working parents.
Child day-care centres.
Equal and unsegregated education.
Equal job training opportunities and allowances for women in poverty.
The right of women to control their reproductive lives.
Compare the achievements with the original
Bill of Rights from NOW. How far have women’s
rights developed?
Equal Pay Act 1963
Roe vs Wade 1973
Feminine Mystique published 1963
Supreme Court 1972
Feminism
Civil Rights Act 1964
Equal Rights Amendment 1972
National Organisation for Women 1966
Growth of Women’s Liberation Groups

14. Essay Practice
Which group had the biggest development of civil rights in the 1960s and 1970s?
Black Americas
Women
Explain your answer, referring to both bullet points.