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All States Pass Laws Taking Away Women's Suffrage
The original 13 Colonies pass legislation that prevents women from voting. This was strongly opposed to by Abigail Adams, John Adams' wife, and mother to John Quincy Adams. She said this regarding the law: "(women) will not hold ourselves bound by any laws which we have no voice". -
Constitution Ratified and is Open to Interpretation on Voter Eligibility
The Constitution was ratified by all 13 states, with a clause on voter eligibility. The Constitution stated that "persons", "people", and "electors" were eligible to vote. This understandably caused disagreements over the specificity of eligible voters in the sense of gender. -
Seneca Falls Covention
The first women's rights convention. The women discussed abolishing slavery, and equality for women in this county. They advertised themselves as "a convention to discuss the social, civil, and religious condition and rights of women". -
1st Womens Suffrage Vote Passed
The territory of Wyoming was the first place to pass a law enacting women's suffrage. Wyoming wasn't yet a state at the time, but this prompted other states to follow their lead. This would be the start of a long road for women. -
First State Grants Women's Suffrage
Wyoming was the first territory to grant women suffrage, but also the first state. Wyoming became a state in 1890, making them the first state to allow women to vote. This is the biggest achievement for women at this time. -
19th Amendment Ratified
The 19th Amendment was ratified, enabling women in every state to vote. This decision was a landmark case in the sense that it was the first time that women could not be denied the right to vote. Watershed moments like this one are few and far between in the fight for women's equality. -
First Female Senator
Rebecca L. Felton becomes the first female U.S. Senator. She was only senator for one day because the man who won the election took his seat the following day. She was used as a backup plan, but the man who won gave her the one day in order to increase his support from the female constituents. -
Hoyt vs. Florida
In this landmark Supreme Court decision, the state of Florida said that women were far less likely to be chosen for jury duty due to sexist views of women. Florida claimed that women "are still regarded as the center of home and family life", thus preventing them from serving on a jury. This decision further stigmatized women as homemakers rather than working citizens. -
Equal Pay Act
The Equal Pay Act is passed, prohibiting wage discrimination based on race, religion, or sex. This law is the legal parameter for minority groups (women included), although this law is rarely abided by. The law doesn't take into account the discrepancies in larger corporations, and that most women won't report wrongdoing by their bosses out of fear of being fired. -
Hishon vs. King and Spaulding
United States Supreme court ruling that furthered the Equal Pay Act. This case held that women cannot be discriminated against in the workplace because of their gender. The case was specific to law firms not promoting women to partner positions. -
Meritor Savings Bank vs. Vinson
This U.S. Supreme Court case decided that a hostile work environment can be related to gender. This decision was eye-opening because it made the American people think about something deeper than themselves and their town. This was a widespread issue that would only get worse if it wasn't stopped. -
Gender Equity in Education
Congress adopts this bill to fund the education of teachers on issues such as pay equity, promote math and science in girls, and counsel young women. This program helped young girls and women in so many ways. I personally think that this program should be bigger in the U.S. because of the exponential benefits it creates for women. -
Jackson vs. Birmingham Board of Education
This Supreme Court case ruled that is it unconstitutional to punish someone for speaking up about sex-based discrimination. This decision was extremely important to women especially, because it enabled them to have a voice. This decision has also been instrumental in the empowerment of women in the workplace. -
Women's March on Washington
The Women's March on Washington was the largest protest in world history, by far. The march was a protest march over many issues revolving around the inauguration of Donald Trump. This was a peaceful protest met with empowering voices and people of all backgrounds coming together for a greater cause.