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President John Kennedy establishes the President's Commission on the Status of Women and appoints Eleanor Roosevelt as chairwoman.
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The National Organization for Women (NOW) is founded by a group of feminists including Betty Friedan. The largest women's rights group in the U.S.
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Executive Order 11375 expands President Lyndon Johnson's affirmative action policy of 1965 to cover discrimination based on gender.
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The EEOC rules that sex-segregated help wanted ads in newspapers are illegal.
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California becomes the first state to adopt a "no fault" divorce law, which allows couples to divorce by mutual consent.
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U.S. Court of Appeals rules that jobs held by men and women need to be "substantially equal" but not "identical" to fall under the protection of the Equal Pay Act.
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The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification.
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As a result of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court establishes a woman's right to safe and legal abortion, overriding the anti-abortion laws of many states.
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The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits discrimination in consumer credit practices on the basis of sex, race, marital status, religion, national origin, age, or receipt of public assistance.
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The first marital rape law is enacted in Nebraska, making it illegal for a husband to rape his wife.
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The Pregnancy Discrimination Act bans employment discrimination against pregnant women.
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Paula Hawkins of Florida, a Republican, becomes the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate without following her husband or father in the job.
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Sandra Day O'Connor becomes first woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
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Dr. Sally K. Ride becomes the first American woman to be sent into space.
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Geraldine Ferraro becomes the first woman to be nominated to be vice president on a major party ticket.
