Women and Black Power evidence

Question 1

Evidence of social progress for women in black power. 4 main points

Answer 1

• The Black Women’s Alliance and later the Third World Women’s Alliance formed to address intersectional oppression
• Black women developed feminist consciousness within community organisations
• Publications like “The Black Woman” (1970) edited by Toni Cade Bambara raised awareness of Black women’s unique challenges
• Organisations like the National Black Feminist Organization (founded 1973) addressed specific needs of Black women

Question 2

Evidence supporting political progress for women in black power. 4 main points

Answer 2

• Black women’s political participation increased significantly
• Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to Congress (1968) and ran for president (1972)
• The Congressional Black Caucus included influential women like Barbara Jordan
• Black women registered voters and ran for local offices in unprecedented numbers

Question 3

Evidence supporting economic progress for women in black power. 4 main points

Answer 3

• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforcement improved Black women’s access to previously restricted jobs
• Black women’s college enrolment increased dramatically
• Black women’s median income rose faster proportionally than white women’s during this period
• Professional opportunities expanded, with Black women entering law, medicine, and business in greater numbers

Question 4

Evidence AGAINST social progress for women in black power. 4 main points

Answer 4

• Black women faced marginalisation in both mainstream feminism and Black Power movements
• Sexism within Black nationalist organisations often relegated women to supportive roles
• Some Black Power ideologies emphasised traditional gender roles for Black women
• Frances Beal’s “Double Jeopardy: To Be Black and Female” (1969) highlighted how Black women faced both racism and sexism

Question 5

Evidence AGAINST political progress for women in black power. 4 points

Answer 5

• Leadership positions in major Black Power organizations remained predominantly male
• Political platforms often prioritized racial issues over gender concerns
• Internal debates over priorities sometimes marginalized women’s specific concerns
• Black women’s political achievements received less recognition than male counterparts

Question 6

Evidence AGAINST economic progress for women in black power. 4 main points

Answer 6

• Black women remained concentrated in lower-paying service and domestic work
• Black women continued to earn less than both white women and Black men
• Unemployment rates for Black women remained significantly higher than for white women
• Job discrimination persisted despite legal advances

Question 7

Statistical evidence. 5 points

Answer 7

• Black women’s college enrolment increased by over 200% between 1960 and 1980
• The percentage of Black women in clerical jobs rose from 9% in 1960 to 21% by 1980
• Black women’s median income remained at approximately 92% of Black men’s but only 65% of white women’s wages
• Unemployment rates for Black women averaged 11.1% in the 1970s compared to 6.3% for white women
• The percentage of Black families headed by women rose from 22% in 1960 to 40% by 1980