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Seneca Falls Convention
The first ever women's right convention in the United States was held at the Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls, N.Y.200 women convened and abolitionist Elizabeth Cady Stanton read the "Declaration of Sentiments and Grievances," a treatise that she had drafted over the previous few days.Information acquired from History.com. -
New York City Garment Workers Protest Working Conditions
Garment workers in New York City staged a protest against inhumane working conditions and low wages. The police attacked the protestors and dispersed them, but the movement continued and led to the creation of the first women’s labor union. Information acquired from www.alaskadispatch.com. -
15,000 Women March in New York City
15,000 women marched in New York City for shorter work hours, better pay, voting rights, and an end to child labor. The slogan “Bread and Roses” emerged, with bread symbolizing economic security and roses for better living standards. Information acquired from www.alaskadispatch.com. -
International Women's Day Recognized as International Event
The Socialist International, meeting in Copenhagen, established a Women's Day, international in character, to honour the movement for women's rights and to build support for achieving universal suffrage for women. The proposal was greeted with unanimous approval by the conference of over 100 women from 17 countries, which included the first three women elected to the Finnish Parliament. Information acquired from UN.com. -
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Sparks Creation of New Labor Laws
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Company Building in New York City caught fire, killing 146 young immigrant workers. This event led to the creation of the Factory Investigating Commission, which included Francis Perkins, who became the first female secretary of labor, and labor union activists. The commission’s finding led to new laws in New York that mandated safety standards, minimum wage and unemployment assistance. Information acquired from www.alaskadispatch.com. -
International Women's Day Used to Protest World War I
International Women's Day also became a mechanism for protesting World War I. As part of the peace movement, Russian women observed their first International Women's Day on the last Sunday in February. Elsewhere in Europe, on or around 8 March of the following year, women held rallies either to protest the war or to express solidarity with other activists. Information acquired from www.un.org. -
Europeans Rally and March for International Women's Day
As a result of the Copenhagen initiative, International Women's Day was marked for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, where more than one million women and men attended rallies. In addition to the right to vote and to hold public office, they demanded women's rights to work, to vocational training and to an end to discrimination on the job. Information acquired from www.un.org. -
Russian Women Granted Right to Vote Through Protest
Against the backdrop of the war, women in Russia again chose to protest and strike for 'Bread and Peace' on the last Sunday in February (which fell on 8 March on the Gregorian calendar). Four days later, the Czar abdicated and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote. Information acquired from www.un.org. -
American Women Granted Right to Vote
After years of struggle and strife, and events like the Seneca Falls Woman's Rights Convention, the 19th Amendment, establishing a woman's right to vote, was finally ratifiied on August 26, 1920. Information acquired from womensissues.about.com. -
"The Feminine Mystique" is Published and Causes a Stir
In 1963, Betty Friedan's groundbreaking feminist book, "The Feminine Mystique," was published. The controversial book criticized the role of the 1950s suburban housewife and rejuvenated the second-wave feminism movement. Information acquired from history1900s.about.com. -
First Woman Astronaut Goes to Space
On June 16,1963 Valentina Tereshkova was launched into space aboard Vostok 6. She became the first woman to travel in space. Valentina Tereshkova made 48 orbits of Earth and spent almost three days in space. Information acquired from starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov. -
Roe V. Wade Is Passed, Legalizing Abortion in Early Months
The historical Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision held that a woman, with her doctor, could choose abortion in earlier months of pregnancy without legal restriction, and with restrictions in later months, based on the right to privacy. All state laws limiting women's access to abortions during the first trimester of pregnancy were invalidated by Roe v. Wade. Information acquired from womenshistory.about.com. -
Hillary Clinton Becomes Leading Presidential Candidate
Hillary Rodham Clinton becomes the first woman to become a leading candidate for a presidential nomination, mounting a fierce challenge against Barack Obama, the ultimate winner of the Democratic Party’s nomination and election. -
International Women's Day Celebrated at SUNY New Paltz
For the first time in 17 years, International Women's Day is celebrated on the SUNY New Paltz campus. The event features speakers who discuss topics on building a social movement, women and violence, women in the workplace, and women and reproductive justice. The even draws over 200 people.