1. Women Fight for Equality
Ch 31 Sec 2

2. New Women’s Movement Arises
Feminism- belief that women should have economic, political, and social equality with men
Women in the workplace
1960s – 40% of women working
‘Men’s work” vs. ‘Women’s work’
Presidential Commission on the Status of Women (1961, by Kennedy)
Found that women were paid less than men
Women seldom promoted to managerial positions

3. Women and Activism
Women had been helpful in many other movements, but never given major roles
“Consciousness-raising” sessions
Women get together to talk about their experiences
Find many women shared similar stories of discrimination

4. The Women’s Movement Emerges
The Feminine Mystique
Book which brought to the surface the discontent felt by many women
Became a bestseller
Brought women together who were working for change
“Not a movement you ‘join’”

5. Gains & Losses Civil Rights Act of 1964
Can’t discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, or gender
NOW (National Organization for Women)
Founded by Betty Friedan
Pushed for child-care facilities
Pushed for sex-segregated ads to be illegal
Pushed for equality in workforce

6. Burning of the Bras Gloria Steinem 1968 – New York Radical Women
Demonstration at Miss America Pageant
Burned bras, girdles, wigs, etc.
Crowned a sheep “Miss America”
Gloria Steinem
Helped found National Women’s Political Caucus
Encouraged women to seek political office

8. Social Gains Legal Gains Girls’ exclusion from sports became an issue
Not taking husband’s last name
Going from Miss to Ms.
Legal Gains
1972 – ban on discrimination in higher ed.
All male college’s receiving money from govt. had to allow women to attend
1972 – tax break to parents for child-care expenses

9. Roe v. Wade
1973
Women have the right to choose an abortion during the first 3 months of pregnancy

10. ERA (Equal Rights Amendment)
Passed by Congress in 1972, first introduced in 1923
Guarantee men and women the same rights and protections under the law
Phyllis Schlafly and other conservatives scared
Might lead to: women drafted, no laws protecting homemakers, end husband responsibility to provide for family, and same-sex marriage
Said radical women hated men, marriage and children
Only oppressed in their “distorted minds”

11. The New Right “Pro-Family” movement Combat the ERA and pro-choice
Played key role in electing Ronald Reagan in 1980
Constantly butted heads with Feminist movement

12. LEGACY ERA not added to amendments
1982, only 35 of needed 38 states had ratified
Transformed women’s conventional roles and attitudes toward career and family
More women going to college
More women working while having a family
More women seeking higher degrees than men in 2009
More women in public office