1. Chapter 23 Section 2 Notes Women’s Rights

2. Feminism
The Belief Women Should be treated = to men

3. Brief History of Feminism
Women suffrage movement begins after Civil War
Takes about 50 yrs for women to vote (1920)
Women work during WWI and WWII
Gain independence, better pay, more opportunities
Most lose these things when wars are over
Many don’t like it! Want Good Jobs Too!
Post WWII advertising portray women as
Homemakers
Obedient to Husbands
Beauty objects
Barbie
was
1st
Sold In
1959

4. Why does it take so long for Women to Get Equality?
Simple
Men don’t want to give up power accumulated over centuries
Traditional Family Roles
Religious leaders
Physical Superiority
The avg. size of an American male is 5 ft, 10 in., 195 lbs.
while
The avg. size of an American female is 5 ft, 4 in., 165 lbs.

5. 3 Things That Change in the 1960s
1. Presidential Commission on the Status of Women
Group formed by JFK (1961). They issue a report (1963). 3 Key Findings:
A. Women get less $ than men doing the same job
RESULTS IN EQUAL PAY ACT
wages still not totally = according to stats (worse for minorities)
B. Only one third of all workers were women
Nowadays… almost half of the workforce is
C. Women rarely got promoted to management positions
Better nowadays… still considered to have a “glass ceiling” (I’ll explain)

7. 2. Other Movements in the 1960s were sexist
Sexism = Women treated differently (usually worse) than men
Why? Viewed as not smart enough, strong enough, less important
How are they viewed then? Sex objects, weak, subservient to men
Women not given prominent roles within various movements
Civil Rights for Blacks, Hispanics, Native Ams.
Vietnam War Protests

8. 3. Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique
Book that suggests women should organize to achieve equality and have a more fulfilled life
Becomes a Best Seller – She becomes a leader in the movement
Friedan
Became
A leader
In NOW

9. National Organization for Women (NOW) – formed in 1966
Purpose: Have Govt. move faster to get women more = treatment and deal
with issues that concern women
Main issues:
Women controlling their own bodies
Access to = Opportunities in Education
College, Sports
Child Care incentives for employers
Punishing Employers that discriminate
against women
All the Goals of the NOW

10. National Women’s Political Caucus – formed in 1971
Mainly Organized by Gloria Steinem
Started Ms. Magazine – 1st one geared towards feminism (still around)
Encouraged Women to run for political office
Shirley Chisholm – 1st African American female in House of Reps.

11. Roe v Wade (1973)
Supreme Court case allowing women to have an abortion in:
1st 3 months of pregnancy in all cases
2nd 3 months of pregnancy in some cases
Last 3 months of pregnancy in rare cases
Decision supported by feminist groups
Still debated today

12. Proposed Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) (1972)
had been introduced 4 times previously
1st after WWI
Said men and women should be = under the law
Supported by feminists
Passed by both houses of U.S. Congress
Only ratified by 35 state Congresses
Needed 38 to get added to the Constitution

13. Why didn’t the ERA pass? The New Right led opposition to the ERA
Mostly religious conservatives
Led by priests, ministers
Phyllis Schlafly
Vocal female against the ERA
Their argument:
“What was wrong with traditional roles?”
Could lead to a bunch of “bad things”
Same sex marriages
“deadbeat dads”
Women drafted into military service
Other Impact: Elected many conservative Republicans

14. Accomplishments of Women’s Rights Movement
Changing most women’s minds on their goals in life
From just a family to a family + career
All kinds of equal educational opportunities
Higher Ed. Act, Title IX, etc…
Increased women’s opportunities in good careers
Medical, Law, Business, etc…
Many more female elected officials
Still not = representation
Title IX Comparison