Women in Public Life

By j_johnson42

  • Abigail Adams's nation protection letter

    Shortly before the Declaration of Independence was drafted, Abigail Adams wrote her husband, John, urging that the new nation protect women's liberties.

  • First National Women's Rights Convention

    The first National Women's Rights Convention takes place in Worcester, Mass., attracting more than 1,000 participants. National conventions are held yearly (except for 1857) through 1860.

  • Seneca Falls Convention

    Delegates to the historic Seneca Falls Convention, led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, issue a bold declaration calling for equal rights for women.

  • American Women Suffrage Associaation, Lucy Stone, Henry Blackwell

    Lucy Stone, Henry Blackwell, and others form the American Woman Suffrage Association. This group focuses exclusively on gaining voting rights for women through amendments to individual state constitutions.

  • Women living in Wyoming Territory

    The women that lived in the Wyoming Territory became the first American women to win the right to vote.

  • WTUL is established to improve

    The National Women's Trade Union League (WTUL) is established to advocate for improved wages and working conditions for women.

  • Congressional Union forms

    Alice Paul and Lucy Burns form the Congressional Union to work toward the passage of a federal amendment to give women the vote. The group is later renamed the National Women's Party. Members picket the White House and practice other forms of civil disobedience.

  • Federal Woman Suffrage Amendment is passed

    The federal woman suffrage amendment, originally written by Susan B. Anthony and introduced in Congress in 1878, is passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is then sent to the states for ratification.

  • 19th Amendment

    The Ninteenth Amendment is ratified, guarenteeing women the right to vote.

  • Women's Bureau

    The Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor is formed to collect information about women in the workforce and safeguard good working conditions for women.

  • 19th Amendment passed

    The 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote, is signed into law by Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby.

  • Approving Women's Equal Rights

    Congress approves the women's Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution, but it fails to win ratification by the required 38 states.