Women's Movement

Feminism: Political, social, and economic equality of men and women

Most women rejected the housewife stereotype, wanted more job opportunities

Reproductive rights

Second wave of feminism

First wave was focused on voting rights

First wave was in the 1920s, did not achieve full equality

Phyllis Schlafly

Conservative political activist

Argued that the ERA would compel women to join the military and would hurt the family

Appealed to other conservatives

Because of her protests against the ERA- the ERA wasn't passed

Natural roles for women, thought the ERA would be destructive

Members of both sexes opposed this movement

Many women didn't think there was more to life for them than being a housewife

did not want change

"Pink Collar Ghetto"

Women are paid less because of gender and the less paying jobs they have to pursue

Glass Ceiling

Invisible barrier women experience because of the hierarchy

Women still face barriers, glass ceiling limits women

Feminization of poverty

Majority of the nation's poor people are single women

Single mothers -low paying jobs, and need to be able to financially support their children

Betty Friedan

Helped establish NOW

Fought for the Equal Rights Amendment

Wrote the Feminine Mystique

Gloria Steinem

Journalist who was very well known

used mass media to gain awareness

Exposed Playboy

Co-found Ms, which was a feminist magazine

Sandra Day O'Connor

Graduated near the top of her class from Stanford Law School

First female Supreme Justice member

Despite her capabilities, her male counterparts were offered better jobs

RADICAL FEMINISTS

had consciousness raising groups

Needed to inform women that life did not have to be limited

Held protests

Formed the National Organization for Women (NOW)

Aimed towards "true equality" for all women

Wanted balance of roles in marriage

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

Would guarantee equal rights

Would protect reproductive rights

Would be a part of the constitution if successfully passed

Was not passed - fell 3 states short of being passed

Passed through Congress, but failed to be ratified

Civil Rights Act of 1964

banned discrimination based on sex

Commission on the Status of Women

Made by JFK to examine discrimination in the workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Higher Education Act

Required equal funding for both male and female extracurricular activities

Banned discrimination in education

1973 Roe vs Wade

Assured women the right to legal abortions

Before this court case -women chose to do dangerous illegal abortions

negative impact: religious and moral factors

Equal Credit Opportunity Act 1974

Women could have credit cards in their name and credit scores

Stereotypes changed