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The Declaration of the Rights of Woman
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Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention was the first women’s rights convention in the United States, organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. The attendees drafted the Declaration of Sentiments, which outlined gender inequalities and demanded women’s suffrage. This event is considered the starting point of the organized women’s rights movement in the U.S. -
Sojourner Truth
A former enslaved woman, Truth became a powerful advocate for both abolition and women’s rights. Her famous Ain’t I a Woman? speech, delivered in 1851, highlighted the intersection of race and gender discrimination. She fought for equal rights for Black women, who were often excluded from mainstream suffrage movements. -
Aint I a Woman?
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Susan B. Anthony
A leading suffragist, Anthony co-founded the National Woman Suffrage Association and tirelessly campaigned for women’s right to vote. She was arrested for voting illegally in 1872, bringing national attention to the cause. Though she did not live to see the 19th Amendment ratified, her work laid the foundation for its success. -
The Story of an Hour
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A Jury of her Peers
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Ratification of the 19th Amendment
After decades of activism, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting women the right to vote. It was the culmination of efforts by suffragists like Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul. This marked a significant victory for women’s political rights, though many women of color continued to face barriers to voting. -
Betty Friedan
Friedan’s 1963 book, The Feminine Mystique, challenged the idea that women should only be homemakers and helped ignite second-wave feminism. She co-founded NOW in 1966, pushing for legal and workplace equality. Her work encouraged many women to seek economic independence and personal fulfillment beyond traditional roles. -
Formation of the National Organization for Women
NOW was founded to address gender discrimination in the workplace, education, and law. Led by figures like Betty Friedan, the organization played a key role in advocating for equal pay, reproductive rights, and workplace protections. It became one of the leading voices in the second wave of feminism. -
Gloria Steinem
Steinem became one of the most recognizable faces of second-wave feminism. She co-founded Ms. magazine in 1971 and provided a feminist platform for issues like reproductive rights and gender discrimination. Her advocacy helped mainstream feminist ideas in politics and media. -
Testimony Before the Senate
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Shirley Chisholm's Presidential Announcement Speech
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Roe v. Wade Supreme Court Decision
This landmark case ruled that women have a constitutional right to abortion. This significantly advanced reproductive rights. The decision was a major victory for feminist groups who argued that access to abortion was essential for gender equality. Still, it also sparked ongoing legal and political debates. -
Malala Yousafzai
Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist for girls’ education, Malala survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban in 2012. She became a global advocate for women’s rights, particularly the right to education, and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. Her activism has inspired movements for girls’ education worldwide. -
#MeToo Movement
Sparked by sexual assault allegations against powerful men, the #MeToo movement shed light on widespread sexual harassment and gender-based violence. Activist Tarana Burke originally coined the phrase in 2006, but it gained international attention in 2017. The movement led to legal changes, corporate reforms, and a cultural shift in how sexual misconduct is addressed.