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The Sheppard Towner Act
It is the first federal legislation enacted explicitly for the health and nutritional needs of women and children. The act provides federal money to the states for maternal and infant healthcare and hygiene. -
First Equal Rights Amendment Introduced
Alice Paul and the National Woman’s Party succeed in having a constitutional amend- ment introduced in Congress that says: “Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction.” In 1943, it is revised to what is known today as the Equal Rights Amendment. -
Mary McLeod Bethune
Mary McLeod Bethune organizes the National Council of Negro Women, a coalition of black women's groups that lobbies against job discrimination, racism, and sexism. -
Fair Labor Standards
Fair Labor Standards Act upholds minimum wage regardless of sex -
Margaret chase smith
Margaret Chase Smith was the first woman to be elected to the House and Senate -
The Women Airforce Service Pilots
The Women Airforce Service Pilots were civilian pilots who flew more than 12,000 missions between ferring warplanes to bases and embarkation points. -
The Women’s Armed Services Integration Act
The Women’s Armed Services Integration Act was signed into law granting women the right to serve as permanent members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. -
President's Commission on the Status of Women
President John Kennedy establishes the President's Commission on the Status of Women and appoints Eleanor Roosevelt as chairwoman. The report issued by the Commission in 1963 documents substantial discrimination against women in the workplace and makes specific recommendations for improvement, including fair hiring practices, paid maternity leave, and affordable child care. -
Equal Pay Act
Congress passes the Equal Pay Act, making it illegal for employers to pay a woman less than what a man would receive for the same job. -
Juana Inés de la Cruz
Juana Inés de la Cruz's intelligence and scholarship became known throughout the country during her teen years. Sor Juana read tirelessly and wrote plays and poetry, often challenging societal values and becoming an early proponent of women's rights. Sor Juana is heralded for her Respuesta a Sor Filotea, which defends women's rights to educational access, and is credited as the first published feminist of the New World. -
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act bans employment discrimination against pregnant women. Under the Act, a woman cannot be fired or denied a job or a promotion because she is or may become pregnant, nor can she be forced to take a pregnancy leave if she is willing and able to work. -
Emily's List
Ellen R. Malcolm created EMILY's list which is the largest national resource for women in politics in 1985. This helped to fund campaigns for pro-choice democratic women and strategically torch-light the balance of power in the United States Of America. -
Casey v. Planned Parenthood
In Casey v. Planned Parenthood, the Supreme Court affirmed the basic ruling of Roe v. Wade that the state is prohibited from banning most abortions. Casey also ruled, however, that states may regulate abortions so as to protect the health of the mother and the life of the fetus, and may outlaw abortions of "viable" fetuses. -
Violence Against Women Act
The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA) became law after four years of exhaustive investigation focused on the extent and severity of domestic violence, assault, and stalking committed against women. -
Kolstad v. American Dental Ass'n 3
When the Supreme Court decided Kolstad v. American Dental Ass'n 3, many employers cheered that the Court had created a formidable obstacle that would prevent most employees who brought suits alleging discrimination from receiving punitive damages. -
Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act
The Supreme Court upheld the nationwide ban on a controversial abortion procedure Wednesday, handing abortion opponents the long-awaited victory they expected from a more conservative bench. The 5-4 ruling said the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act that Congress passed and President Bush signed into law in 2003 does not violate a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion. -
Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act
President Obama signed the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, which allows victims of pay discrimination to file a complaint with the government against their employer within 180 days of their last paycheck. Previously, victims (most often women) were only allowed 180 days from the date of the first unfair paycheck. Hillary Rodham Clinton becomes the third woman to hold the post of Secretary of State. -
Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced that the ban on women serving in combat roles would be lifted. In a Jan. 9 letter to Panetta urging the change Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (originally passed in 1994). The new bill enhances judicial and law enforcement tools to combat violence against women, provides support for victims, and extends coverage to young victims, immigrants, Indian women, and victims of trafficking. -
Women in the Armed Forces
Women are allowed to serve in any job in the armed services, provided they meet gender neutral performance standards. This move, initiated in 2013 and finalized under Defense Secretary Ash Carter, will open approximately 220,000 jobs to females.
