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Women's History Month
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WTUL is established.
The National Women's Trade Union League (WTUL) is formed in 1903. This league fought for improved wages for women, as well as improved working conditions for women. WTUL pushed women to fight for equal rights in the work force. -
First Woman elected to US Congress
Jeannette Rankin of Montana becomes the first woman elected to the US Congress. This marks the beginning of women's role in Congress. -
Ninteenth Amendment is ratified.
The Ninteenth Amendment, otherwise known as the Women's Sufferage Movement, was ratified on this day. This amendment granted women the right to vote. This was a huge step for the United States, as well as a huge accomplishment for women across the country. Women were beginning to gain their voice. -
The National Council of Negro Women is organized.
Mary McLeod Bethune organized the National Council of Negro Women. This group fought against job discrimination, sexism, and racism. This group not only advocated for women's rights, but the rights of black women too. This helped in the way of race and sexism. -
Men return from WW2.
In 1945, most women lost their jobs to the returning servicemen from World War 2. However, surveys show that eighty percent of women wanted to continue working. This influx of job losses shows just how much women did for men while they were gone, as well as how much they wanted to continue working once their men returned. -
Women and men are equal in the polls.
Even though the nineteenth amendment passed almost 40 years prior, in 1957 the number of women and men voting is approximately equal for the first time. This shows the rising awareness that women have for politics. They are taking advantage of the right they earned in 1920. -
Equal Pay Act is passed by Congress.
The Equal Pay Act made unequal pay illegal. Employers were to pay men and women the same amount for the same job. This was a huge step for women in the workforce, because it allowed them to become more independant. -
Pregnancy Discrimination Act is passed.
In 1978, Congress passed the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. This act made it illegal for employers to fire or not hire a woman because she is or may become pregnant. Also, she may not be forced to take a pregnancy leave if she is still willing to work. This allowed women to become even more independant, because they could continue working, even while starting (or continuing) a family. -
EMILY's List is established.
In July of 1985, EMILY's List (Early Money Is Like Yeast) is established. This group was created to financially support pro-choice Democratic women running for a national political office. This organization helped increase the number of women elected into Congress. Also, it showed women that Congress was not a forbidden land, and that they must make their voices heard. -
Virginia Military School must admit women.
In the Supreme Court case of "United States v. Viriginia", the court ruled that a Viriginia Military School must admit women to conntinue to recieve public funding. The ruling also stated that a a separate all-female school would not fulfill the court order. This case shows how women were also making an impact in military-related functions. -
Fair Pay Restoration Act is passed.
President Barack Obama signs the act, passing it on this day. The act allows victims of pay discrimination to file a complaint within 180 days of their last paycheck. This act disregards another act that stated that a complaint about payment discrimination may only be filed 180 days after the date of the first unfair paycheck. This gives women the power to make a change and speak out if something is wrong. it gives women (and men) a voice in the working world.
