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The National Women's Trade Union League founded
Working-class women, professional reformers, and women from wealthy and distinguished families came together to form this trade union. Its reason for being was to "assist in the organization of women wage workers into trade unions and thereby to help them secure conditions necessary for healthful and efficient work and to obtain a just reward for such work". This embarked a new class feminism that affected years to come. http://ocp.hul.harvard.edu/ww/nwtul.html -
Marie Curie wins Nobel Prize
Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. She was first awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics with her husband in 1903 for the discovery of radioactivity. Later on in 1911, she received a second Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the isolation of radium. She has been an inspiration for women all around the globe to chase their dreams. Since being awarded, there have been 49 woman who have won Nobel Prizes since. http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/lists/women.html -
National Women's Day observed
In honor of the women protesting against working conditions in 1908, the Socialist Party of America decided to mark this day as National Women's Day. Its purpose to build support for women's rights began to spread internationally. It is now known as International Women's Day to celebrate the achievements of women around the globe on March 8th. http://www.un.org/en/events/womensday/history.shtml -
Triangle Shirtwaist Company factory fire
The Triangle Shirtwaist Company factory fire in New York City was one of the biggest tragedies in the United States.145 workers, mainly teenaged immigrant girls, died from the flames. This incident, which could have been prevented, led to health and safety laws to be regulated in all organizations for the sake of the workers. http://www.history.com/topics/triangle-shirtwaist-fire -
Jeannette Rankin elected to Congress
Jeannette Rankin of Montana was the first woman elected to Congress. She served two terms in the House of Representatives in 1917-1919 and 1941-1942. She was involved in the woman suffrage movement. Her brave actions in the office led more women to run for Congress. Since 1917, there have been over 300 women who have been appointed to the U.S. Congress. http://history.house.gov/People/Listing/R/RANKIN,-Jeannette-(R000055)/ -
19th Amendment ratified
Passed by Congress June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote. Groups of women worked for decades to celebrate the victory of this day. This day revolutionized the beginning of a new era for women across the United States. http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=63 -
Margaret Sanger founded American Birth Control League
Margaret Sanger founded the American Birth Control League, which is now known as the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The League's purpose was to provide education about the prevention of pregnancy. Two years later, the league and Sanger opened the first legal birth control clinic. http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1676.html -
Sheppard-Towner Maternity and Infancy Act passes
Since childbirth was the second leading cause of death for women, Congress passed this Act into law to reduce this death rate. It provided $1 million in federal aid annually to provide health clinics and such for mothers and babies. This Act helped women and children acknowledgement at a federal level. http://history.house.gov/Historical-Highlights/1901-1950/The-Sheppard%E2%80%93Towner-Maternity-and-Infancy-Act/ -
Bessie Coleman becomes first African American woman pilot
In a time when race and gender were still a problem, Bessie Coleman left the US to obtain her pilot's license in France. In 1922, she became the worlds' first black woman to earn her pilot's license. As the world became more accepting, now anyone is allowed to receive their pilot's license without going through the struggles of the past. http://www.biography.com/people/bessie-coleman-36928#early-life -
Nellie Tayloe Ross becomes the first woman governor
Ross becomes Wyoming's governor in 1925, which marked her to be the first female governor in the nation. Since this milestone in women's history, there have been 37 women who have served or are serving as the governor of a US state. http://www.wyohistory.org/essays/ambition-nellie-tayloe-ross -
Gertrude Ederle swims English Channel
Ederle was the first woman to swim across the English Channel. Not only did she just accomplish such a great task, but also beat the fasted man's record by two hours! This proved that women can do anything men can do... and better! http://amhistory.si.edu/sports/exhibit/firsts/ederle/ -
Jane Addams wins Nobel Peace Prize
Jane Addams was the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Her accomplishments have changed the lives of many, mainly immigrants, as well as national and international public policy. http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1931/addams-facts.html -
Amelia Earhart flies solo
Earhart was the first woman pilot to fly solo over the Atlantic Ocean in 1932. In 1937, she had decided to attempt to fly around the world. Unfortunately, she did not make it as her disappearance is still a mystery. Although her fame lasted less than a decade, she promoted the advancement of both commercial aviation and women. http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/gallery/2008/10/20081009114736emsutfol0.5671045.html#axzz3y1CeQHqw -
Eleanor Roosevelt transforms the role of First Lady
When Franklin Delano Roosevelt became president of the US in 1932, Eleanor dove into America with arms wide open. She was an inspiration to the world. Eleanor was the first president's wife that held regular press conferences, attended conventions, and traveled the country to hear the people while the Great Depression occurred. Now first ladies, such as Michelle Obama, have taken that extra step to make America great again. http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/publication/2008/04/200804271 -
Frances Perkins appointed US Secretary of Labor
Franklin Roosevelt appointed Perkins as his Secretary of Labor. Not only is she the longest serving in that position, but also is the first woman appointed to the US Cabinet. Since this milestone, many women have been appointed to the Cabinet, following in her footsteps. https://www.ssa.gov/history/fperkins.html
