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speak out
Red-stockings staged an abortion speak out, insisting that women's voices be heard on the issue instead of only male legislators and nuns. -
English system
The colonies adopt the English system decreeing women cannot own property in their own name or keep their own earnings. -
women's right
All states pass laws which take away women's right to vote. -
Mississippi grants
The first state Mississippi grants women the right to hold property in their own names with permission from their husbands. -
convene a women's rights
Amy Post, Sarah D. Fish, Sarah C. Owen, and Mary H. Hallowell convene a women's rights convention in Rochester, New York. Abigail Bush chairs the public meeting, a first for American women. -
Sojourner Truth delivers her “Ain’t I a Woman” speech
Sojourner Truth became a well known anti-slavery speaker. Women’s rights became Truth’s life’s work. During the historic Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in 1851, Truth delivered her most famous “Ain’t I a Woman” speech. -
Elevation of Woman
The Una premiers in Providence, Rhode Island, edited by Paulina Kellogg Wright Davis. With a masthead declaring it to be "A Paper Devoted to the Elevation of Woman," it is acknowledged as the first feminist newspaper of the woman's rights movement. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment is passed by Congress, with "citizens" and "voters" defined as "male" in the Constitution. -
New York and eventually loses
Elizabeth Cady Stanton declares herself a candidate for Congress from the 8th Congressional District of New York and eventually loses. -
Food and Drug
The Food and Drug Administration approved the first oral contraceptive, commonly known as "the Pill," for sale as birth control in the United States. -
equal pay
The equal pay act of 1963 was signed into law by President John F. Kennedy. -
NOW
The National Organization for Women, known as NOW, was founded. NOW set up task forces to work on key women's issues. -
Education Amendments bans sex discrimination in schools
IX of the Education Amendments bans sex discrimination in schools. It states: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." As a result of Title IX, the enrollment of women in athletics programs and professional schools increases dramatically. -
first marital rape
The first marital rape law is enacted in Nebraska, making it illegal for a husband to rape his wife. -
first African American woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress
The famed actress received the award for her performance in the film Monster’s Ball. In her acceptance speech, Berry continued to address how the award and honor went beyond her. Even now, she remains the only black woman to receive that same award.
