-
The Women’s March on Versailles
This event marked the beginning of the French Revolution’s involvement in women’s rights. Thousands of women, primarily market women, marched from Paris to Versailles to demand better living conditions, food, and political rights. It was one of the earliest public demonstrations involving women demanding their rights. -
Seneca Falls Convention
This was the first women’s rights convention in the United States, organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. It marked the beginning of the organized women's rights movement in the U.S. The convention produced the Declaration of Sentiments, which called for equal rights for women, including the right to vote, own property, and have access to education and employment. -
“Ain’t I a Woman?” by Sojourner Truth
At the time of this speech, most of the feminist movements were led by white women and advocating for the rights of white women. Sojourner Truth was both African American and a woman and aimed to challenge the intersection of race and gender. She gave the speech at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention and directly confronted the notions of both race and gender. It was incredibly insightful for the feminist movement and aided in the fight for black women’s rights. -
Sojourner Truth
During the 19th century, Sojourner Truth was vital in both the women’s rights movement and the civil rights movement. She advocated for all people to be equal and wanted equal rights for all. During this time she also aided in recruiting African Americans to the military. She was incredibly influential because she tried to close the gap between race and gender. -
“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin
In this short story, the idea of marriage conflicting with personal freedom is heavily explored. Louise Mallard experiences a range of emotions following the death of her husband. We see the hidden complexities involved in her marriage and a common experience shared between the women of the time. This story encapsulates the need for freedom that women have and the consequences that occur when they are not given it. -
“A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell
This story delves into the treatment that women get when in professional settings. In the story, the main characters, Minnie Wright and Mrs. Hale, have their own perspectives on what occurred in the crime scene that the men are investigating but are brushed off as silly. This reflects a bigger issue that is still prevalent in that women are drowned out in conversation about important subjects. -
Gloria Steinem
Throughout the 1970s, Gloria Steinem was very influential in the women’s rights movement. She tackled issues such as the for the reproductive rights of women, workplace equality, and sexual harassment. This led to a massive progression in the women’s rights movement. Gloria Steinem heavily advocated for the ERA and even went before the senate in 1970. -
“Testimony Before the Senate” by Gloria Steinem
Gloria Steinem, a significant figure in the women’s rights movement, went before the senate to articulate her perspective on why the ERA should be added to the constitution. She mentioned the daily workplace experiences that women have and the discrimination they face. Along with this, she pointed out the biological stereotypes that men have perpetuated onto them for centuries. This speech was incredibly impactful in the broader feminist movement that followed. -
Phyllis Schlafly
Phyllis Schlafly was strictly against the ERA and was very persuasive in her argument against it. She argued that women would get their rights stripped as a result of this and that the traditional family values would be erased. She advocated heavily against the ERA and hosted protests and marches discrediting the proposed amendment. -
UN Declaration of the Elimination of Violence Against Women
The UN passed a declaration that highlighted the global problem of violence against women. This landmark event raised international awareness about gender-based violence and laid the foundation for policies and initiatives aimed at protecting women’s rights and providing support for survivors. -
Malala Yousafzai
On this date, Malala won a Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy and her influence. She is a survivor of an assassination attempt and used her experience to empower young girls. She is truly a role model and continues to advocate to this day. -
Michelle Obama
In this year, Michelle Obama launched the “Let Girls Learn” initiative. This reflects the influence she has on modern women and girls and the change she aims to make. Michelle utilized her role as the First Lady to help girls and women all around the world -
#MeToo
This was a movement that helped empower women who were victims of sexual violence. It was founded by Tarana Burke in 2006 but became incredibly popular in 2017. This movement helped women but gained massive controversy from many people due to the nature of the internet -
Women’s March
The Women's March was a global demonstration held the day after the inauguration of Donald Trump. Millions of women across the world gathered to protest for women’s rights, equality, and social justice. The march became one of the largest single-day protests in U.S. history and was a symbol of collective action for women’s rights. -
”The Gendered History of Human Computers” by Clive Thompson
The article shows the crucial but overlooked role that women played in the early days of computing. Throughout WWII and in the early days of computing, the women were used as human computers. They performed complex calculations and some even programmed some early computers. As computing gained prestige, however, women were seen as inferior to men as they dominated the field. Women were pushed out of their positions and replaced by men. This reflects what happens in many industries today. -
“The True Story of Mrs. America” by Jeanne Dorin McDowell
McDowell outlines, in this article the events regarding the ERA and the conflicts that surrounded it. Along with this, she describes the show that came out about these conflicts. Specifically, the text points out the anti-ERA activist, Phyllis Schlafly. In the show, Schlafly is not villainized and is viewed as intelligent and strong. This show utilizes Schafly to show the different viewpoints for women at the time and why the ERA was not supported by many.