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Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams wrote a letter to her husband John who was the Massachusetts representative to the Continental Congress. In her letter she voiced her concerns for equality and that they must 'remember the ladies' (Roberts, 2004) as they worked on the Declaration of Independence. Abigail and John were sdeemed "America's first power couple" for her dedication to women and his dedication toward democracy. -
London World Anti-Slavery Convention
Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, key players in the women's rights movement, were also abolitionists. Many viewed the anti-slavery movement as a precursor to the women's rights movement since both groups faced inequalities. Activist groups honed skills such as persuasive writing, raising funds, public speaking, organizing and managing events, and most importantly dedication and perseverance toward a cause (NPS, 2013). -
Seneca Falls Convention
The convention was open to the public and "was the first meeting to be held for the purpose of discussing the social, civil, and religious conditions and the rights of women" (NPS, 2013). Organized by Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and 3 others, the event was attended by over 300 men and women. A Declaration of Sentiments was created, containing resolutions similar to things within the Declaration of Independence. All 11 resolutions were signed and conventions followed in other states. -
19th Amendment
The 15th Amendment was a catalyst for national reform directed at "addressing the problems associated with urbanization, industrialization, and mass immigration" (NWHM, 2007). This was an integral contributor to women's suffrage. Women campaigned and World War I was the final pivotal event for change. It passed with 2/3 majority in the Senate and House of Representatives, and 3/4 of the states (LexisNexis, 2009). -
Title VI and VII
These two Titles of the Civil Rights Act laid the groundwork for Title IX. Title VI prohibited discrimination in federally funded programs in all areas except on the basis of gender. Title VII included women but only in employment discrimination, therefore leaving out other sectors of society, primarily education (Filisko, 2013). -
Title IX
States: "no person in the U.S. shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance" (Glover, 2011). Brought about by Birch Bayh and Patsy Mink, considered co-authors. Although usually seen with athletics, the Title includes STEM and other areas. -
References
Filisko, G. (2013). Title IX at 40. Perspectives: A magazine for and about women lawyers, 21(3), 8-14. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete, EBSCO Host. Glover, W. (2011). Gender participation issues related to sports-Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. LexisNexis Legal Newsroom. LexisNexis (2009). The Constitution. Reed Elsevier, Inc. -
References Continued
National Park Service (2013). Women's Rights Movement. Retrieved from www.nps.gov National Women's History Museum (2007). The Seneca Falls Convention and the early suffrage movement. Retrieved from www.nwhm. org
