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Resurgence of the Cult of Domesticity
In the post-WWII era, although more women were working than had been during the war, societal pressures tended to idealize women in their roles as wives and mothers. This role was especially emphasized for suburban, middle-class women. -
The "pill" approved by FDA
Enovid-10, the first birth control pill, which had been commissioned by activist Margaret Sanger received FDA approval and gave women more control over their reproductive lives. -
Equal Pay Act Passed
The equal pay act required equal pay for men and women for performing equivalent jobs, however, it exempted certain categories of work such as executives, outside sales, administrators, and professionals. -
The Feminine Mystique Published
In her landmark book describing "the problem that has no name," Betty Friedan challenged the assumption that women would be fulfilled by their roles as wives and mothers and needed no other rights or opportunties. -
Griswold v. Connecticut
In this case, the Supreme Court legalized birth control nationwide for married couples by striking down the last remaining state law that prohibited such access. Later, in the 1972 case of Eisenstadt v. Baird, contraception was also legalized for unmarried couples. -
NOW Founded
The National Organization for Women was founded by Betty Friedan, Pauli Murray, and others with a focus on promoting feminist issues such as promoting women's rights in the workplace, forcing the government to enforce laws to prevent sex discrimination, and promoting full equality of the sexes. -
ERA Introduced to the Senate
The Equal Rights Amendment, which had been written by suffragist Alice Paul and first introduced to Congress in 1923 was introduced to the Senate by Democratic Senator Eugene McCarthy. The text of the proposed amendment read, "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." It was passed by the Senate and endorsed by President Richard Nixon in 1972. -
Miss American Protest
New York Radical Women organized a protest of the Miss America pageant attended by about 200 feminists and civil rights activists who tossed feminine beauty products into a "Freedom Trash Can." Although nothing was actually burned at the protest, the trope of "bra-burning feminists" originated in this event. -
President Nixon Vetoes Comprehensive Child Development Act (CDA)
As conservatives began to see feminist causes and "women's lib" as a threat to the traditional family, Republican President Richard Nixon vetoed a bill that would have provided federally-funded childcare centers nationwide. -
Ms. Magazine Founded
Ms. magazine, founded by journalist and feminist activist Gloria Steinem, was the first national feminist magazine in the U.S. It frequently used women's personal stories and experiences as a means of exploring feminist issues. -
Title IX Passed
Part of the Education Amendments of 1972 to the Civil Rights Act, this clause, written by Senator Birch Bayh, reads, "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." Perhaps its greatest impact has been on the creation of school sports programs for women and girls. -
STOP ERA Founded
Conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly founded STOP (Stop Taking Our Privileges) ERA as a means to combat the potential ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, which she asserted would harm women and families by collapsing the traditional order, robbing women of their femininity, and freeing men of their responsibilities to their wives and children. Ultimately this group, composed primarily of housewives and other traditional women, was successful in blocking the ratification of ERA in 1982. -
Roe v. Wade
In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the Due Process Clause of the Constitution contained a fundamental "right to privacy" that protected a woman's right to an abortion. The decision was overturned by a 6-3 decision in 2022 in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, thus leaving to the states to regulate abortion as they see fit. -
Equal Credit Opportunity Act
The ECOA forbids lending institutions to deny credit to anyone for any reason other than their ability to repay. Prior to this act, many women could not receive a loan, a credit card, a lease, or any other financial product without the support or co-signing of a man. Married women typically could not hold their own separate credit or banking accounts.