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1964
1964 Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race and sex.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is established to investigate discrimination complaints. -
1966
1966 The National Organization for Women (NOW) is founded. -
1968
1968 The EEOC rules that sex-segregated help wanted ads are illegal, a ruling later upheld by the Supreme Court.
Shirley Chisholm is the first black woman elected to Congress.
The National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) is founded. -
1969
1969 California is the first state to adopt a “no fault” divorce law, allowing couples to divorce by mutual consent. By 1985, all U.S. states have adopted similar laws. -
1972
1972 The ERA is passed by Congress and sent to states for ratification.
Title IX bans sex discrimination in schools.
The Supreme Court rules that the right to privacy includes an unmarried person’s right to use contraceptives.
Ms. Magazine is first published. -
1973
1973 In Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court legalizes abortion and overturns anti-abortion laws in many states. -
1976
1976 The first marital rape law passes in Nebraska, making it illegal for a husband to rape his wife.
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act passes, banning employment discrimination against pregnant women. -
1960
1960 The Food and Drug Administration approve birth control pills.
White women earn 60 cents for every dollar earned by men, a decline since the 1950s. Women of color earn 42 cents for every dollar.