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Womens Rights Timeline
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Seneca Falls Convention
The first women's rights convention is held in Seneca Falls, New York. After 2 days of discussion and debate, 68 women and 32 men sign a Declaration of Sentiments, which outlines grievances and sets the agenda for the women's rights movement. A set of 12 resolutions is adopted calling for equal treatment of women and men under the law and voting rights for women. -
First National Womens Rights Convention
The first National Women's Rights Convention takes place in Worcester, Mass., attracting more than 1,000 participants. -
National Womens Sufferage Association is formed
Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton form the National Woman Suffrage Association. The primary goal of the organization is to achieve voting rights for women by means of a Congressional amendment to the Constitution. -
Wyoming passes the first law
Wyoming passes the first women's suffrage law. The following year, women begin serving on juries. -
NAWSA is formed
The National Women Suffrage Association and the American Women Suffrage Association merge to form the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). As the movement's mainstream organization, NAWSA wages state-by-state campaigns to obtain voting rights for women. -
NACW is formed
The National Association of Colored Women is formed, bringing together more than 100 black women's clubs. Leaders in the black women's club movement include Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin, Mary Church Terrell, and Anna Julia Cooper. -
WTUL advocates
The National Women's Trade Union League (WTUL) is established to advocate for improved wages and working conditions for women. -
First U.S Birth Control Clinic Opens
Margaret Sanger opens the first U.S. birth-control clinic in Brooklyn, N.Y. Although the clinic is shut down 10 days later and Sanger is arrested, she eventually wins support through the courts and opens another clinic in the future. -
Suffrage Amendment written and sent
The federal woman suffrage amendment, originally written by Susan B. Anthony and introduced in Congress in 1878, is passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is then sent to the states for ratification. -
Nineteenth Amendment Approved
Now women could now stand with the men at the voting booth. They were given the right to vote around the nation. -
Wisconson, Illinois, and Michigan ratify the 19th Amendment
Now they set the example and within days other states follow along, granting women the right to vote. -
19th Amendment added
The 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote, is signed into law by Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby. -
American Birth Control League founded
Margaret Sanger founds the American Birth Control League, which evolves into the Planned Parenthood Federation of America in 1942.
