Womens movement Flashcards
Why did so many women want to protest
Most Americans believed that a women’s primary role to look after and raise children. When women got married it was expected to give up their jobs and become house wife’s some companies even dismissed female employees once they got married
Who was one influential campaigner for women and what did she do
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt improved rights and opportunities for women. Held her own press confrences, first lady to do so, allowed only women to attend. Meant that newspapers and radio stations had to employ female journalists. Put pressure on Husband and later presidents to increase employment of women, Made many broadcast on the radio and tv opinions on many matter including women’s right. Work helped to increase support for women’s rights and bring more legislation for equality.
What was the Presidents Commission on the status of women
She was very influential in the democratic party. agreed to support John Kennedy in campaign to win the nomination for democrat candidate for president only, if agreed to establish a commission on status status on women if he became president. Created the president’s commission on the status of women in Dec 1961 and appointed Roosevelt as chair. Died before reported findings. The report highlighted the huge inequalities facing women in work finding women were overwhelmingly in low paid jobs with few responsibilities earned 50 and 60 per cent of what a man earned for doing the same job and had very few opportunities of progression
What was the equality pay act
signed by president Kennedy in 1963 made it illegal to pay people different rates for doing the same job. Followed by civil rights of 1964
What were the factors for change for women
Several economic and social factors developed. By 1950s impact on women’s roles. By 1960 society placed more value on gadgets and appliances became more necessary for household to have more than one wage earner, so could afford these things. Also household appliances saved times so female households had more time for employment
One of the most important development was availability of the contraceptive pill from 1960. Helped women plan when having a family. meant could plan their education and carrers around this. Access to pill varied considerably across different states and for this different women. Not until 65 supreme court in Griswold Versus Connecticut married women should be allowed to use birth control. in 1972 extended to all women no matter what be before marital status
How was Betty Friedan and what did she do
Most people credit betty Friedan for starting of women’s movement. Was a journalist who came to prominence after publication of her book. Feminine mystique in 1963 questioned the myth that women should be satisfied and only find happiness as their role as housewife’s and mothers. At a college reunion in 1957 Friedan interviewed her fellow female graduate to ask if they were happy wrote articles on the same topic and received many letters from women describing their feelings. The book described Friedan’s findings ,many well-educated women who were intelligent were bored and unhappy as housewife’s describing their homes as comfortable prisons
Pushed them to escape and find employment should not only be considered for low pay jobs book became a best seller
What were NOW
Betty Friedan and other feminist set up national organisation for women as a pressure group to attract supporters put pressure on authorities to enforce equality Friedan became the first president
What were some of the laws on NOW’S bill of rights
1)Equal rights Amendment to the constitution is padded by congress and ratified by states
2)Sex discrimination in employment as set out in the civil rights act of 1964 is enforced
3)Women jobs to be protected after childbirth and maternity leave to be paid for
What did now do in 1970
By 1970 NOW had approx 40,000 members and worked on campaigns with wide range of groups such as national women’s caucus. NOW used variety of tactic to try and bring about change. including protest marches strikes and petitions.
What did NOW contribute to the women’s movement
Between 1966 and 1971 NOW helped in a series of disputes about unequal pay and won 0 million back pay for women.
On 26th August 1970 NOW organised the women’s strike for equality thousands of women across USA went on strike to draw attention to unequal pay and discrimination in the workplace largest possible march down fifth avenue of estimate 50,000 people
In FEB 1970 members of NOW distributed the senate during a debate and displayed posters and boards calling equal rights act to be discussed and passed.
What did now help to do
NOW helped to increase awareness of gender inequality inspired many women to challenge the system many critics it was too radical support for abortion NOW’S supporter mainly upper class women
What were the Liberation Movement
Women’s liberation movement name given to feminist who’s aim were far more radial wanted to totally destroy the existing system and liberate women from limitations of patriarchal society. Groups wanted to completely separate men and women. believe lesbians were the only group could achieve true liberation
More aggressive sit ns in company offices created sexist and damaged officers
