1. The Continuing Fight For Equality
How does struggle for equal rights continue?

2. Feminism
1950: Betty Friedan raises the issue of depression among housewives in her book The Feminine Mystique
Women realize they do not have equal responsibilities or opportunities in society! Feminist movement begins.

3. Women Organize
1966: National Organization for Women (NOW) forms
Goals: 1) Child care to allow women to work 2) end gender discrimination in the workplace (175K members by 1970)
NOW protests Miss America pageant in Atlantic City. On the AC boardwalk NOW throws bras, girdles, wigs at contestants
1971: Gloria Steinem forms more moderate organization called National Women’s Political Caucus
Starts Ms. Magazine to bring women’s issues to mainstream

4. Roe v. Wade (1972)
NOW becomes involved in a woman’s right to an abortion
Norma McCorvey attempts to have an abortion but Texas only allows abortion in case of rape or incest
McCorvey & NOW sue Dallas DA Henry Wade under the name of Jane Roe, case is appealed to the US Supreme Court
Sup. Court rules 7-2 that a woman has the right to choose an abortion in first 3 mos of pregnancy, no matter circumstances

5. Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
1972: Congress passes the Equal Rights Amendment – constitutional guarantee of gender equality, Nixon endorses it
Must be approved by 38 of 50 (75%) of states to become law
Phyllis Schlafly starts conservative “stop-ERA campaign”
Amendment fails, falls 3 states short of passage

6. Stonewall Riots
Stonewall Inn in NY was one of the few bars that allowed openly gay patrons
NYPD, who routinely raided gay bars to arrest the patrons, raided Stonewall Inn in June of 1969
Crowd gathered at Stonewall, begin to fight back against police, riot ensues
Gays and police clash throughout 1970, Gays & Lesbians begin to fight for equal rights

7. Milk Fights For Gay Rights
As Gays advocate for equal rights, Conservative America responds w/ anti-gay laws
Singer Anita Bryant got behind a movement to repeal a law that made it illegal to discriminate against homosexuals
In San Francisco, Harvey Milk became the countries first openly gay elected official
In public speeches Milk challenged Bryant and others who were trying to pass new laws, like Prop 6 in California
Milk & SF’s Mayor were killed by a disgruntled SF Supervisor Dan White, who resigned and could not get his job back