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Throughout American history, women have been seriously discriminated against in all aspects of life. Even before the founding of America, women lacked rights, were mistreated, and were unequal to men. Going all the way back to 1776, Abigail Adams wrote to her husband, asking him to "Remember the ladies" while meeting with the Continental Congress. Sadly, women were forgotten and considered second-class citizens and the property of their husbands. Since the founding of America, women have missed out on almost all rights. Women have been forced to stay in domestic roles throughout most of history. They have been kept out of schools, government, and jobs. This inequality has urged women to fight for their rights to those things beginning with meetings, rallies, lobbying, public speaking, and nonviolent resistance. Women continued this fight in 1848 when women began to question why they had fought the American Revolution for freedom when women had not gained total freedom. Many women agreed that they needed to play more active roles in society. A group of women used the "Declaration of Independence" to write a new document called the "Declaration of Sentiments." The document connected women's rights to American Independence. The group began their argument with the statement, "We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The idea that all men and women should be created equal relies on the fact that all men and women need to have equal rights. This idea is still incredibly relevant today, and the ideas have been influential throughout all of the Women's Rights Movement.

"History of the Women's Rights Movement," National Women's History Alliance, accessed February 17, 2022, https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/history-of-the-womens-rights-movement/.

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1807 - New Jersey Women Lose the Right to Vote (Chloe)

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1807 - New Jersey Women Lose the Right to Vote (Chloe)

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In 1776, New Jersey's first constitution gave voting rights to "all inhabitants of this colony, of full age, who are worth fifty pounds... and have resided within the county... for twelve months." Eventually, in 1790, the constitution was rewritten to include "he or she," which allowed both men and women who owned property voting rights; Free African Americans were also allowed to vote if they met all of the requirements. However, not all women had these rights because married women could not own property. This meant that only single property-owning women could vote. For 17 years, most women could vote in New Jersey, but in 1807 the legislature changed the rules and made it so that only white, tax-paying, male citizens could vote. Legislators did this to give the Democratic-Republican Party an advantage in the upcoming presidential election because women often voted against the party. Without women's votes, the Democratic-Republicans would have a higher chance of winning. This event furthered women from equality. Legislators unjustly changed the rules in their favor. Women were treated as objects; if they had favored the party, they most likely would have been able to vote for longer. Using women in this way was incredibly unfair, and after this event, it would be a very long time until women could gain back the right to vote.

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior, "Did You Know: Women and African Americans Could Vote in NJ before the 15th and 19th Amendments?," National Parks Service, last modified July 3, 2018, accessed February 17, 2022, https://www.nps.gov/articles/voting-rights-in-nj-before-the-15th-and-19th.htm.

Gillian Brockell, "More than a Century before the 19th Amendment, Women Were Voting in New Jersey," The Washington Post, last modified August 4, 2020, accessed February 17, 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/local/history/new-jersey-women-vote-1776-suffrage/.

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Oberlin College Students in the late 1850'3

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1837 - Oberlin College Becomes First Coed Educational College(Chloe)

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1837 - Oberlin College Becomes First Coed Educational College(Chloe)

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In the 19th century, women had very few education options. For years, women pursued only socially acceptable roles like homemaker, mother, and domestic servant. Women were forced to choose jobs and lives that followed the gender norms of the times. Women were kept out of schools because of the idea that women's work does not require an education. Although very few women were able to attend college classes, it was almost impossible for them to graduate, for degrees were restricted to men. This all changed in 1837 when Oberlin became the first coed college. This opened many doors because, for the first time, men and women could be educated together. Although this was a massive step towards parity, women were not treated equally. On Mondays, the female students were dismissed early to do their male classmates' laundry. Although there was still a long way to go, the coed college began to further women's rights to education. It was the first step in women being equally educated to men. Even though women's colleges were starting to open, that meant that women were still kept separate from men. Oberlin showed people that men and women do have the ability to be educated together. The college would educate many women and lead to some of the first female doctors, lawyers, and professors.

Dwayne Mack, "Oberlin College (1833-)," Black Past, last modified October 25, 2010, accessed February 16, 2022, https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/oberlin-college-1833/#:~:text=Oberlin's%20progressive%20history%20began%20during,coeducational%20college%20in%20the%20country.

Staff Writers, "A History of Women in Higher Education," Best Colleges, last modified February 13, 2022, accessed February 16, 2022, https://www.bestcolleges.com/news/analysis/2021/03/21/history-women-higher-education/#:~:text=In%201836%2C%20Wesleyan%20became%20the,U.S.%20between%201836%20and%201875.

Carol Lasser, "Beyond Coeducation: Oberlin College and Women's History Postings in Honor of Women's History Month 1998," Oberlin College, accessed February 16, 2022, https://www2.oberlin.edu/external/EOG/womenshist/women.html.

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Photo of Susan B. Anthony, a women's rights activist.

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1840's - Women's Suffrage Movement Begins (Thea)

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1840's - Women's Suffrage Movement Begins (Thea)

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Women started to fight for their voting rights years before the Civil War. In 1848, the Seneca Falls Convention was held to talk about the rights of women that were "social, civil, and religious." The event was arranged by women's rights activists Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. Although the topic of suffrage was brought up during the convention, the topic was too difficult to talk about and many called the issue "too extreme." Later the issue of suffrage would be brought up and discussed in a document of the Seneca Falls Convention, called the Declaration of Sentiments. After the conclusion of the Civil War, women would begin to fight again for their right to vote. One of the most important figures to know during the Women's Suffrage Movement is Susan B. Anthony, who was famous for her speeches such as her "Declaration of Rights," which she spoke in 1876 and also for organizing rights organizations such as the American Equal Rights Association in 1868. Overall, the beginning of women's suffrage movement was a major part of women's path to citizenship and civil rights because this fight would last for around 70 years.

"Women's Suffrage." In Gale U.S. History Online Collection. Detroit, MI: Gale, 2020. Gale In Context: U.S. History (accessed February 17, 2022). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/SMHSZZ984032811/UHIC?u=pitt94721&sid=bookmark-UHIC&xid=6d8b2bb6.

National Park Service, "Susan B. Anthony," National Park Service, accessed February 17, 2022, https://www.nps.gov/people/susan-b-anthony.htm.

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Susan B. Anthony." Encyclopedia Britannica, February 11, 2022. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Susan-B-Anthony.

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Photo of Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States.

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1849 - Elizabeth Blackwell: The First Woman to Receive a Medical Degree. (Thea)

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1849 - Elizabeth Blackwell: The First Woman to Receive a Medical Degree. (Thea)

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In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman in the United States to receive a medical degree. She was inspired to become a doctor when she was told by her sick friend that she wished a "lady doctor" would care for her. Although many people did not believe in her (many even told her that she should disguise as a man), this disbelief made her even more motivated to achieve her ultimate goal. While many medical schools rejected her, she was accepted in 1849 by Geneva Medical School in New York. Once in medical school, she was not fully accepted. For example, white men would exclude her from observing surgeries. To gain more training experience that was not available for her in the United States, she briefly traveled to England and France. When she returned to America, she became an advocate for female doctors and established the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children in 1857. Being the first woman to obtain a medical degree was an important moment in the path to citizenship and civil rights because even though she was a rare case at the time, more and more women after her were able to get degrees. As a result of the rising care for the women's place in the medical profession, women's heath issues started to receive more attention as well.

National Park Service, "Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell," National Park Service, accessed February 17, 2022, https://www.nps.gov/people/dr-elizabeth-blackwell.htm.

Office for Diversity and Inclusion Heersink School of Medicine, "History of Women in Medicine," The University of Alabama at Birmingham, accessed February 17, 2022, https://www.uab.edu/medicine/diversity/initiatives/women/history.

Sari Rosenberg, "January 23, 1849: Elizabeth Blackwell Became the First Woman in the United States to Earn a Medical Degree," Lifetime, last modified January 23, 2018, accessed February 17, 2022, https://www.mylifetime.com/she-did-that/january-23-1849-elizabeth-blackwell-became-the-first-woman-in-the-united-states-to-earn-a-medical-degree.

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This video is a performance of Sojourner Truth's speech, "Ain't I a Woman" performed by actress Pat Theriault on April 1, 2011 at the Kansas State University's 8th Diversity Summit.

Link to Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XilHJc9IZvE

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Sojourner Truth Speech of 1851, "Ain't I a Woman"

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Photo of woman holding a banner that says "Colorado Woman are Citizens."

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1893 - Colorado Becomes First State to Give Women the Right to Vote (Thea)

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1893 - Colorado Becomes First State to Give Women the Right to Vote (Thea)

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On November 7th, 1893, Colorado became the first state to give women the right to vote. This was achieved through popular referendum, where the state gained votes, that were difficult to achieve, from both men and legislators. Women earned this right to suffrage through working together. For example, in 1876, The Colorado Woman Suffrage Association was created. Alongside this, other people and groups such as farmers in the Grange, temperance advocates in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the Populist Party, and many more supported women in getting the right to vote. Colorado giving women the right to vote was a big moment that ultimately helped women along the path of citizenship and civil rights because this event sparked a ton of other states in the West to also allow women the right to suffrage. The primary reason why the West wanted women to vote was so they would get more white men to settle. Overall, the effect of the Western states granting this right led to Eastern states doing the same this. Years later, the 19th amendment would be passed allowing all women to vote.

Jennifer Frost, "Why Did Women Win the Right to Vote in Colorado in the 19th Century?," History News Network, last modified October 14, 2018, accessed February 17, 2022, https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/170178.

Madelyn Beck, "Why Did Western Women Gain Voting Rights Earlier Than The Rest Of The Nation? You May Be Surprised," NPR for Northern Colorado, last modified August 19, 2020, accessed February 17, 2022, https://www.kunc.org/2020-08-19/why-did-western-women-gain-voting-rights-earlier-than-the-rest-of-the-nation-you-may-be-surprised.

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Jennifer Frost teaches US history at the University of Auckland, New Zealand-the first nation in the world to achieve women's suffrage, which it did-just like Colorado-in 1893. For more information about the achievement of Colorado women's suffrage, see her collaborative digital project on the Women and Social Movements in the United States, 1600-2000 website.

"Western Women Wild With Joy Over Colorado's Election," journalist and suffragist Caroline Nichols Churchill exclaimed, following the victory for woman suffrage at the polls in Colorado on November 7, 1893. This success made Colorado the first state to enfranchise women through popular referendum, and it happened over a quarter of a century before the achievement of national women's suffrage in 1920.

As we celebrate the 125th anniversary of this success, the time is right to reflect on why women in the state of Colorado were able to win this early, significant, and surprising suffrage victory. And, just as women across the nation use their hard-won voting rights to participate in the 2018 mid-term elections, what its historical lessons are for us today.

This victory for "equal suffrage" was no small achievement. Unlike winning the right to vote through legislative action-as happened in the territories of Wyoming in 1869 and Utah in 1870-Colorado suffragists needed the support of male voters to secure the franchise. They had to convince a majority of men in the state, not just legislators, that they should share political power with women. Sixteen years earlier, in 1877, when the question of women's suffrage was first put before Colorado voters, they had failed to do so. In fact, of 480 campaigns to put votes for women on the ballot of various states in the 19th century, only seventeen actually reached the ballot, and a mere two, in Colorado in 1893 and Idaho in 1896, met with success.

Earlier explanations of why women first gained the right to vote in western states like Colorado drew upon the popular "myth of the frontier," which held that the West was a place where freedom, independence, and democracy reigned. In this view, the voting franchise naturally extended to western women. Later interpretations contended that political leaders in the West granted woman suffrage to enhance the image of their states or territories and encourage white women to come and settle. But as we know now woman suffrage did not just "happen." Men did not simply "give" women the right to vote. Instead, women's suffrage was won only after decades of political work and organizing by suffragist activists and occurred within very specific local contexts.

Colorado suffragists started by building a strong and diverse political coalition aimed at winning votes for women. The Colorado Woman Suffrage Association, established in 1876, was at the center of the coalition. But organized support for woman suffrage existed among temperance advocates in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, among farmers in the Grange, Farmers' Alliance, and the Populist Party, among workers in the Knights of Labor and other unions, among white and black clubwomen, among male and female journalists, and in the political parties. These different coalition members did not and could not agree on every issue, but they could come together for women's suffrage.

The role of political parties in the suffrage coalition cannot be underestimated. Political gains by the Colorado People's, or Populist, Party, in 1892, including the election of Governor Davis H. Waite, set the political context for a suffrage victory in 1893. The surge in support for the Populists and their agenda of reform upset the balance of power between the Republicans and the Democrats. For Populists, like Waite, extending the right to vote to women was both consistent with political principle and served the end of practical politics. After all, the People's Party was committed to "equal rights for all, and special privileges to none," yet enfranchising women also would be one way for the new party to increase the size of their loyal electorate. In the end, it was the Populists who introduced the 1893 suffrage bill in the Colorado legislature and proclaimed it law following the referendum. Openings and opportunities for political change can be provided by challenges to the two traditional parties.

Political shifts in Colorado were reinforced by dramatic economic and social developments in 1893. The combination of the repeal of the 1890 Sherman Silver Purchase Act, the financial Panic of 1893, and subsequent depression sent Colorado's economy into a tailspin. Colorado suffragists shared the distress and anxiety felt by the rest of the citizens of their state. They also linked woman suffrage to broader economic and social conditions, arguing that women would extend their caretaking responsibilities beyond the home and use their vote to reform society. The dire circumstances of 1893 and the convincing case made by women suffragists propelled male voters to explore alternatives to "politics as usual."

National connections and events further illuminate suffrage developments in Colorado. Colorado suffragists received funds, advice, and personnel from national and other state organizations. Carrie Chapman (later Catt), president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, stumped in Colorado during the 1893 referendum campaign. Chapman's efforts were effective, as she had just forged unity among two formerly rival associations and rejuvenated the national effort. In turn, for many on the national level, Colorado's success in 1893 provided a concrete example of how to build a social movement and achieve political aims.

One hundred twenty-five years ago, prioritizing local contexts and coalition-building, paying attention to political, economic, and social developments, and connecting to national allies brought Colorado's campaign for equal suffrage to a successful conclusion. But the 1893 referendum was not the first time women tried to get the right to vote in Colorado. They tried in 1876 when the new state was writing its first constitution and again in 1877 in their first attempt at a popular referendum. With these failures, they deeply understood the "difficulty in overcoming the fixed habit of masculine supremacy." But they persisted. They innovated. And 16 years later they changed politics in Colorado, had an impact beyond their state's borders, and left us with a historical legacy to learn from.

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Why Did Women Win the Right to Vote in Colorado in the 19th Century?

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Jennifer Frost teaches US history at the University of Auckland, New Zealand-the first nation in the world to achieve women's suffrage, which it did-just like Colorado-in 1893. For more information about the achievement of Colorado women's suffrage, see her collaborative digital project on the Women and Social Movements in the United States, 1600-2000 website.

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(1915-1917) Artifact - 12 Reasons Why Women Should Vote(Chloe)

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(1915-1917) Artifact - 12 Reasons Why Women Should Vote(Chloe)

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This broadside was first published in 1915. The document was then reprinted and redistributed many times over by state organizations. It lists 12 reasons for women's suffrage and it helped people lobby for more women's rights.

“Broadside : Twelve reasons why women should vote. [Circa 1915-1917],” Ann Lewis Women's Suffrage Collection, accessed February 14, 2022, https://lewissuffragecollection.omeka.net/items/show/1484.

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1917 - Jeannette Rankin: First Woman Elected to Congress(Chloe)

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1917 - Jeannette Rankin: First Woman Elected to Congress(Chloe)

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In 1916, Jeannette Rankin began campaigning as a progressive in Montana. Eventually, she won one of Montana's U.S. House seats and was sworn in with other members of the 65th Congress in April of 1917. This event made her, the first woman ever to be elected to federal office. She pledged to work towards a women's suffrage amendment as well as advocate for social welfare issues. Rankin believed in pacifism; she was known to be opposed to U.S. participation in the European war, and then after her reelection, she was the only member of Congress to vote against the entrance to World War I. Throughout Rankin's time as a House Member, she fought vigorously for women's suffrage. During her tenure, the House ended up passing an initial voting rights amendment before the 19th amendment's final ratification. Finally, the female population had another woman fighting for their rights from the government. Her fight from the senate to get women the right to vote helped expand women's rights, and Rankin becoming the first woman in federal office laid the groundwork for many more women becoming elected.

"The Swearing-In of the First Woman Elected to Congress, Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana," History, Art, and Archives United States House of Representatives, accessed February 16, 2022, https://history.house.gov/Historical-Highlights/1901-1950/The-swearing-in-of-the-first-woman-elected-to-Congress,-Representative-Jeannette-Rankin-of-Montana/.

"Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana," History, Art, and Archives United States House of Representatives, accessed February 16, 2022, https://history.house.gov/HistoricalHighlight/Detail/35881?current_search_qs=%3Fsubject%3DRankin%252c%2BJeannette%26PreviousSearch%3D%26CurrentPage%3D1%26SortOrder%3DDate.

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Map of states to grant women suffrage by 1917

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1920 - White Women Get Right to Vote(Chloe)

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1920 - White Women Get Right to Vote(Chloe)

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Before the 19th Amendment, state laws prohibited women from owning or inheriting property, signing contracts, serving on juries, and voting in elections. Job opportunities were incredibly limited to the service industry, and wages were meager. Marriage and caring for children were the sole purpose of most women's lives. The ability to vote would help women to change this inequality. After many years of fighting for suffrage, beginning at the Seneca Falls Convention, activists raising public awareness, lobbying the government, and rallies, things would ultimately change. Finally, on August 18, 1920, the U.S. government passed the 19th Amendment. Although this was a massive step for white women, Black women's rights still had a long way to go. Women of color were still blocked from voting through poll taxes, local laws, intimidation, and other restrictions. It would take 40 more years for all women to have total voting equality. Although things were not perfect, this Amendment finally gave women an official voice. They had a say in government for the first time. Women fought tenaciously for their rights, and this new ability allowed them to push even further for total equality. The Amendment allowed women to vote for family-planning services and supplies that would eventually lead to female economic progress. The new voting population also favored Reproductive Rights, education options for women, and more professions also opened up for females because of their new rights. With their new voice, they could continue to vote for change and further the fight for total equality.

Heidi Williamson, "Women's Equality Day: Celebrating the 19th Amendment's Impact on Reproductive Health and Rights," CAP, last modified August 26, 2013, accessed February 16, 2022, https://www.americanprogress.org/article/womens-equality-day-celebrating-the-19th-amendments-impact-on-reproductive-health-and-rights/#:~:text=The%2019th%20Amendment%20helped%20millions,sex%20education%2C%20and%20birth%20control.

History.com Editors, "19th Amendment," History, last modified February 25, 2021, accessed February 17, 2022, https://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/19th-amendment-1.

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1931 - Jane Addams: First Woman to Receive Nobel Peace Prize (Thea)

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1931 - Jane Addams: First Woman to Receive Nobel Peace Prize (Thea)

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Jane Addams was a peace activist who was part of the Settlement House Movement. She attended Rockford Female Seminary in 1881 as one of the top students in her class. She was part of a phenomenon where she was well educated and well off in the late 19th and early 20th century; she was eager to escape the trap of domesticity but with relatively few options. She worked in the social services to stay within the feminine sphere while still doing fulfilling work. She used her education to found with her friend, Ellen Gates Starr, the first settlement house, Hull House, which located in a poor area of Chicago. She led women around her to become progressive reformers who shared their knowledge of arts and literature to these people. Some of the greatest accomplishments of the Hull House included starting a kindergarten and daycare and providing acculturation classes to immigrants. Aside from the Hull House, she advocated for Americans to remain peaceful during World War I through her articles and speeches. In addition, she eventually became president of the International Congress of Women and founded the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. Through all of her efforts, she was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize. Being the first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize helped women along the path of civil rights and citizenship because many other women, such as Emily Greene Balch (1946) and Mairead Corrigan (1976), who were directly after, would soon follow.

Debra Michals, "Jane Addams," National Women's History Museum, last modified 2017, accessed February 17, 2022, https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/jane-addams.

"Women laureates," The Noble Peace Prize, accessed February 17, 2022, https://www.nobelpeaceprize.org/nobel-peace-prize/about-the-nobel-peace-prize/women-laureates.

Photo - "Jane Addams Hull-House Museum," Blogspot, http://touramericashistory.blogspot.com/2013/02/jane-addams-hull-house-museum.html.

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Photo of "Rosie the Riveter" - created by J. Howard Miller

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"Rosie the Riveter" was originally a song written in 1942 whose name became a catch phrase for women during World War II that worked in the war industries. This widely used image appeared on propaganda posters that were common throughout the war. The image depicts a woman who is strong and capable while also being feminine, wearing a full-face of makeup. During the war, spots were needed to be filled in industries since men had to go out and fight. To get a better sense of what women in the war industry looked like, Metropolitan State University notes that, "the female labor force grew by 6.5 million." Some of these jobs included producing planes, trains, weapons, and ships. Even though they were given the opportunity to be something other than a housewife, they were not seen as anything more than a placeholder. This event was important in women's path to civil rights because they were finally seen as capable by men.

Tracy Mai, "To What Extent Were Women's Contributions in Industries of World War II Valued?," University of Maryland Baltimore County, accessed February 17, 2022, https://www.umbc.edu/che/tahlessons/pdf/historylabs/To_What_Extent_Were_Women's_Contributions_in_Industries_of_World_War_II_Valued.PrinterFriendly.pdf#:~:text=Women%20were%20needed%20as%20workers%20in%20the%20industries,social%2C%20political%2C%20and%20economic%20status%20in%20American%20society.

"Rosie the Riveter." In Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History, edited by Thomas Carson and Mary Bonk. Detroit, MI: Gale, 1999. Gale In Context: U.S. History (accessed February 17, 2022). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ1667500600/UHIC?u=pitt94721&sid=bookmark-UHIC&xid=5cd30cea.

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"We Can Do It!," Wikipedia, accessed February 17, 2022, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:We_Can_Do_It!_NARA_535413_-_Restoration_2.jpg.

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1960 - FDA Approves Birth Control(Chloe)

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1960 - FDA Approves Birth Control(Chloe)

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In the early 1950s, a biochemist and a gynecologist began to work on a birth-control pill. Then on May 9, 1960, the FDA approved the pill for women. The new pill was initially commissioned by women's rights activist, Margaret Sanger and funded by heiress, Katherine McCormick. Sanger had worked to bring more reproductive rights to women by commissioning the pill as well as open the first birth control clinic in 1916. The new pill contraceptive would be much more practical and effective for women than the contraceptives already in existence at the time. The FDA's approval allowed women the right to choose if they wanted to get pregnant. In the past, if a relationship ended with a pregnancy, the woman was always left with the responsibility. The pill allowed women to separate sexuality from childbearing. Premarital sex increased all over America as young couples began to live together before marriage in more significant numbers. Many people hated these new societal changes, but others saw it as a new trend for young people to be more open and honest. The pill allowed attitudes towards sexualities to relax somewhat. It gave women more freedom to choose. With access to birth control, women were granted more rights over their own bodies.

History.com Editors, "FDA Approves 'The Pill,'" HISTORY, last modified May 10, 2021, accessed February 16, 2022, https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fda-approves-the-pill.

Ushistory.org, "The Fight for Reproductive Rights," U.S. History Online Textbook, last modified 2022, accessed February 17, 2022, https://www.ushistory.org/us/57b.asp#:~:text=Introduced%20in%201960%2C%20birth%20control,women%20suffered%20a%20damaged%20reputation.

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On June 10, 1963, John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act "To prohibit discrimination on account of sex in the payment of wages by employers engaged in commerce or in the production of goods for commerce." This act protected women from discrimination in the workplace. If there is an inequality in payment between a man and a woman who do the same job, employers have to raise the wage to equalize their pay, but they cannot reduce the income of anyone. The act protected women's rights by ensuring women's equality in their daily lives. Although this act was monumental in protecting women's rights at the time, women still face inequality in the workplace. Women are less likely to move up in their place of work and be promoted to a higher salary. They may be overqualified for a position but will not receive a promotion due to discrimination. Although women's rights began to be entirely protected by this act, women are still unfairly compensated.

"The Equal Pay Act of 1963," U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, accessed February 17, 2022, https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/equal-pay-act-1963#:~:text=To%20prohibit%20discrimination%20on%20account,Equal%20Pay%20Act%20of%201963.%22.

Courtney Connley, "Why the Gender Pay Gap Still Exists 55 Years after the Equal Pay Act Was Signed," Make It, last modified June 10, 2018, accessed February 17, 2022, https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/08/why-the-gender-pay-gap-still-exists-55-years-after-the-equal-pay-act.html.

Yuki Noguchi, "50 Years after the Equal Pay Act, Gender Wage Gap Endures," npr, last modified June 10, 2013, accessed February 17, 2022, https://www.npr.org/2013/06/10/189280329/50-years-after-the-equal-pay-act-gender-wage-gap-endures.

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March for the National Organization for Women

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1966 - National Organization for Women is Founded(Chloe)

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1966 - National Organization for Women is Founded(Chloe)

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On June 30, 1966, the National Organization for Women was founded. The purpose of the organization was "To take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now, exercising all privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal partnership with men." Founders, Betty Friedan and Pauli Murray, saw that women needed a group that would be able to combat the daily inequalities faced by women. The government's recent actions had not been enough to combat the imbalance between men and women fully. The organization was also heavily inspired by Betty Friedan's book, The Feminine Mystique. This book pointed out the unsatisfying life of a housewife in the 50s. Women were forced into domestic positions that made a lot of women very unhappy. The organization was created to help women combat discrimination in all aspects of their lives. The organization held rallies, marches, and conferences to lobby for women's rights. The National Organization for Women has advocated for maternity leave rights, childcare centers, job opportunities, reproductive rights, and the prohibition of discrimination in the workplace.

Sari Rosenberg, "October 29, 1966: The National Organization for Women's Statement of Purpose Was Adopted," Lifetime, last modified October 29, 2017, accessed February 16, 2022, https://www.mylifetime.com/she-did-that/october-29-1966-the-national-organization-for-womens-statement-of-purpose-was-adopted.

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1965 - African American Women Get the Right to Vote (Thea)

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1965 - African American Women Get the Right to Vote (Thea)

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Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 addressed segregation and employment discrimination, African-American women still did not have the complete right to vote. One important activist during this time was Fannie Lou Hamer. She was a voting rights activist and was also the leader of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. Another important figure was Viola Liuzzo, an American civil rights activist who was killed by white supremacists for going to a protest march. Alongside the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the 24th amendment was passed, making it legal to make people pay to vote. Marches were led by Black women in places like Selma, Alabama, because it was very common for people there to use violence against African-American voters. President Lyndon B. Johnson finally made the step to ban racial-discrimination when voting. Overall, African-American women finally receiving the right to vote was a major part of helping women on the path to civil rights and citizenship; however, most African-American women would still be not be treated fairly in the future.

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President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders in attendance
National Archives (NARA)

On August 6, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson passed the Voting Rights Act. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 expanded the 14th and 15th amendments by banning racial discrimination in voting practices. The act was a response to the barriers that prevented African Americans from voting for nearly a century.
Background:
On March 30, 1870 the 15th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed. It stated that a citizen's right to vote could not be taken away based on their race. Following the Compromise of 1877, the infamous Jim Crow Laws were introduced. These laws were barriers at the state and local level that prevented African Americans from voting. White supremacists used intimidation, literacy tests, and poll taxes to scare away African American voters. In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was signed into law on July 2. This law focused on segregation and employment discrimination. It failed to fully address voting issues faced by African Americans. On June 23, 1964, the 24th amendement to the constitution was passed. This amendment addressed fair voting and barred poll taxes. It was now illegal to make anyone pay to have the right to vote. Despite these new laws, only 2 percent of African Americans were registered to vote. In March 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. led marches in Selma, Alabama to dramatize the voting issue. Selma had a record of using violence to prevent African Americans from voting. Shortly after the marches, President Johnson sent a voting rights bill to Congress to remove race-based restrictions. This bill was quickly adopted by Congress and signed into law. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 made discriminatory voting practices illegal. It is considered to be one of the most far-reaching pieces of Civil Rights legislation.

Theme Study, Civil Rights in America: Racial Voting Rights

In 1999 the U.S. Congress directed the National Park Service to conduct a multi-state study of civil right sites to determine the national significance of the sites and the appropriateness of including them in the National Park System.

Theme Study, Civil Rights Framework

Completed in January 2002 (rev. 2008), Civil Rights in America: A Framework for Identifying Significant Sites, represents the first chapter in a larger study on the history of civil rights that will help the National Park Service evaluate proposals fro new units in the park system.

Teaching with Historic Places, The Selma to Montomery Voting Rights March: Shaking the Conscience of the Nation

Learn how people in Selma, Alabama and national civil rights organizations worked together to end the unconstitutional denial of voting rights to African Americans in the South.

Historic Trail, Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail

Listen to the stories behind the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Subject Site, Civil Rights in America

To live freely and participate in society is a right many take for granted. Achieving and maintaining those civil rights have been a struggle for different groups throughout U.S. history. Civil rights mean more than the protests of the 1950s and 1960s and reach beyond racial and ethnic groups.

National Historical Park, Lyndon B. Johnson

The Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th President beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives the visitor a unique perspective into one of America's most noteworthy citizens by providing the most complete picture of any American president.

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Voting Rights Act of 1965 (U.S. National Park Service)

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On August 6, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson passed the Voting Rights Act. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 expanded the 14th and 15th amendments by banning racial discrimination in voting practices. The act was a response to the barriers that prevented African Americans from voting for nearly a century.

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Dear Congress,

We propose the following three things be done as they are necessary for women to help women continue along their path to citizenship and equal rights. Firstly, we must acknowledge that there is an evident gender wage gap in this country. Even though the Equal Pay Act was passed in 1963, women still continue to get payed less than men which is completely unacceptable. To shrink the gender wage gap, we propose that all sick days from work should be covered by the government. In order to make this logistically happen, taxes would have to increase slightly. Since women are usually the people to loose their jobs or get payed less that day because one of their children got sick and needed to take care of him or her, not having free sick days off of work is absurd. Secondly, we propose that all birth control should be covered by the government. We would like to bring up this topic of discussion because birth control was approved by the FDA in 1960, but women still face issues receiving certain methods of birth control to this day. We believe that our proposal is important as there is a population of people who can not afford insurance, and the cost of getting certain birth control methods, such as an intrauterine device (IUD) can cost up to $1,300. To make this happen logistically, once again, taxes would most likely have to increase. Finally, we propose that you pass a law requires medical schools to represent women more equally. According to Penn State University, "Between 80 to 90 percent of leadership roles in medicine, like medical school deans, are filled by men, and depending on the specialty of medicine, the ratio of male to female doctors is depressingly high." With Elizabeth Blackwell being the first woman to receive a medical degree, we assume that she would have higher expectations for how the medical schools have advanced in making women feel more accepted. If she were to look at this statistic, she would most likely be very upset with the current situation. Again, we hope that you, congress, deeply consider our thoughts on continuing to advance the rights of women with our specific proposals as they are very important to help women continue on their path to citizenship.

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