1. Struggle for Racial and Gender Equality

2. Brown v. Topeka Board of Education
Parents of Linda Brown sued Topeka schools when she was not allowed to attend a “white” school that was closer to her home than a school for African Americans
Supreme Court ruled that segregated schools were unequal to white schools
Ruling ended segregation in schools
Overruled Plessy v. Ferguson which said separate was equal

3. Little Rock Nine
1957 – Arkansas was to begin desegregating its high schools
Governor Orval Faubus called out the state's National Guard to surround Little Rock Central High School
To prevent any black students from entering
Three weeks later, Faubus was overruled by President Eisenhower
He sent 1,000 members of the U.S. Army to escort nine black students into Little Rock Central HS

4. Martin Luther King, Jr. Minister & Civil Rights Leader
Challenged racial discrimination of the 1950s and 1960s
Led Montgomery Bus Boycotts
Led “March on Washington” and Delivered Famous “I Have a Dream” Speech
Looking For a Day When Whites and Blacks Could Get Along
Organized Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Churches organized to challenge segregation
Advocated non-violent, peaceful protests
Nobel Prize Winner

5. Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks is arrested for refusing to give up her seat on the bus, 1955
40,000 African Americans refuse to take the bus in Montgomery, Alabama
Organized by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Carpool, walk
Lasts over a year
City lost $4000 every day
Supreme Court declares segregation on buses illegal

6. Voting Rights Act of 1965
To enforce the 15th amendment of the U.S. Constitution
Ensure voting rights for African Americans in the South
Outlawed poll taxes
Outlawed literacy tests
Deemed necessary when civil rights activists were murdered in Mississippi

7. Betty Friedan Wrote The Feminine Mystique, 1963
Questioned the role of women in society
“Each suburban wife struggled with it alone. As she made the beds, shopped for groceries,…chauffeured Cub Scouts and Brownies…she was afraid to ask even of herself the silent question – “Is this all?”
Encouraged women to begin thinking outside of marriage and family
Early women’s liberation movement

8. NOW National Organization of Women Founded by Betty Friedan, 1966
Purpose: “To take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now, thereof in truly equal partnership with men.”

9. ERA Equal Rights Amendment First proposed in 1923 by Alice Paul
Still not ratified by enough states to be part of the U.S. Constitution
35 of 38 necessary states have ratified
Guarantees the Constitution will apply equally to men and women alike
Is this a necessary amendment today?
Why or why not?

10. Title IX Part of the Higher Education Act
Bans discrimination on the basis of sex in schools, academics and athletics
Levels the playing field
Available degrees
Athletic opportunities
Scholarship opportunities
Financial aid
Specifically Applies to Higher Education