Women Fight for Equality

Directions: As you read about the rise of a new women’s movement, take notes to explain how each of the following helped to create or advance the movement.

1. Experiences in the workplace
Women's experiences in the workplace caused them to feel like they deserved to work in the same jobs and for the same wages as men, and that they shouldn't be discriminated against in the work place because of their gender
2. Experiences in social activism
Many women involved in social activism were discriminated against even there, so some decided to form small groups that discussed their experiences with discrimination.
3. "Consciousness raising"
Consciousness raising sessions showed women that there were other women that also faced discrimination, and that they were not alone in their plight.
4. Feminism
Feminism was a product of the movement that made women feel that they were equal to men in all ways and deserved to be treated as such.
5. Betty Friedan and The Feminine Mystique
Betty Friedan and the Feminine Mysitque was a magazine that captured the feelings of many discontent women, and helped bring attention to the movement by people who otherwise may have not noticed it, and strengthened the resolve of those who belonged to it.
6. Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Ace of 1964 not only prevented racial discrimination, but also prevented that of gender, allowing many women to get jobs and be payed better.
7. National Organization for Women (NOW)
The National Organization for Women promoted women's advancement through things such as daycare facilities which allowed women to do things outside of the house, as well as pushing for equal working rights.
8. Gloria Steinem and Ms. Magazine
Gloria Steinem formed a political group for women who were running for political office, she also formed Ms. Magazine, which organized protests and also showed people that women writers could write about more than trivial things.
9. Congress
Congress passed a ban on using gender discrimination in educational programs or any activities that were government founded.
10. Supreme Court
The Supreme Court decided on Roe vs Wade on the matter of abortion, however this issue is still not resolved to this day.
11. The Equal rights Amendment would have guaranteed equal rights under the law, regardless of gender. Who opposed this amendment? Why?
The Equal Rights Amendment was opposed by Phyllis Schafly because she felt that it would cause women to experience the bad things men got as well as the good such as the draft, an end to homemakers care, an end to the husband providing for the family, and same sex marriage.