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"Declaration of the Rights of Man"
by the French National Assembly -
"Declaration of the Rights of Woman"
by Olympe de Gouges -
First women's rights convention was held at Seneca Falls, NY
This convention, hosted by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, was the first of its kind and led to the formation of many women's suffrage organizations, including the National Women's Party and National Woman Suffrage Association. Also, it was here that the Declaration of Sentiments was signed, which was a document demanding equality and suffrage. -
"Ain't I a Woman?"
By Sojourner Truth -
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Elizabeth Cady Stanton was one of the feminists to get the ball rolling. She hosted the Seneca Falls convention of 1848 and wrote the Declaration of Sentiments that was signed there. In 1869, Stanton co-founded and served as the president of the National Woman Suffrage Association, and for the rest of her career Stanton wrote many influential feminist works, including "The Woman's Bible (1895)" and the "History of Woman Suffrage" series (1881-1902). -
Susan B. Anthony
Among early feminists, Anthony is definitely the most well-known. She worked a lot with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, particularly when she co-founded the NWSA in 1869 and co-authored "The History of Women's Suffrage" series. However, Anthony set herself apart from her colleague through her powerful speeches and the time she brought women's suffrage to the government's attention by illegally voting, getting arrested, and refusing to pay the $100 fine. -
"The Story of an Hour"
by Kate Chopin -
"A Jury of Her Peers"
by Susan Glaspell -
19th Amendment is put into effect
After a long fight from the National Women's Party and other women's suffrage organizations, the 19th Amendment finally gave women in America the right to vote. It reads: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." -
Alice Paul
Unlike most activists before her, Alice Paul advocated for not one amendment, but two. Her and the National Women's Party (which she founded) picketed the White House, but were all arrested and faced unsanitary conditions and brutality. After the 19th amendment was passed in 1920, Paul and the NWP turned their attention to the Equal Rights Amendment, of which Paul wrote and proposed the first draft. -
Women's Liberation Movement (1960s-70s)
This was a "second wave" of feminism in America, where women pivoted to advocating for equal rights in the workplace and education, protection against discrimination, reproductive rights, etc. It was during this time that the Equal Pay Act of 1963 was passed, and the Roe v. Wade case also gave women a constitutional right to an abortion (but we know how that ended.) -
Gloria Steinem's Testimony Before the Senate
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Gloria Steinem
Gloria Steinem is one of the most important activists of the Women's Liberation Movement. She started as an investigative journalist into the mistreatment of women, and went on to help spread feminist ideas by co-founding the first feminist magazine in America in 1971. She also co-founded that Women's Action Alliance, which helped women balance education, childcare, and employment, the same year. Steinem remains active in feminism to this day. -
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
RBG is the most famous activist of women's rights in recent memory. Before and during her time in the Supreme Court, RBG was fighting gender-based laws. Some of her most notable achievements include the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, which was passed because of a Ginsburg court case. She also helped to expand the 14th Amendment's protection clauses against the deprivation of rights to women, instead of just to men. -
"Me Too" Movement goes viral
The Me Too Movement was started in 2006 by activist Tarana Burke, who was upset about the sexual violence she saw in her community. However, in 2017, #MeToo blew up on social media, allowing thousands of people to share their stories and allowing the movement to help that many more people. -
"Me Too is a Movement, Not a Moment"
by Tarana Burke -
Equal Rights Amendment has satisfied the requirements for ratification
On this day, Virginia became the 38th state to approve the amendment, satisfying the required 3/4 states agreement to introduce a new amendment. It is unfortunately still not officially in the Constitution, but could be very soon. What many people might not know about this amendment is that it was first proposed all the way back in 1923, and has been repeatedly brought up to Congress and shot down every time due to controversies surrounding the amendment. -
"(Almost) 100 Years of the Equal Rights Amendment"
Stuff You Missed in History Class