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Betty Friedan
American Betty Frieden was fired for being pregnant. She went on to do important work in feminism. -
The Contraceptive Pill
The Pill was approved by FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the early 1960's and was available almost worldwide. -
Women's Strike for Peace
A US act where 50, 000 women marched in 60 cities, mostly white middle-class married-with-children women. They were protesting the testing of nuclear weapons during the height of the cold war. -
The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan
American feminist Betty Friedan published her book The Feminine Mystique that surveyed the lives of women who were depressed despite living the 'ideal life'. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title VIII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act prevented all discrimination by private employers, employment agencies and unions according to sex, race, etc. -
The Head Start Act
A program run by the United States Department for Health and Human Services that provides poor families with preschool education and prenatal care for pregnant women. It was significant because it focused on the health of women. -
Griswald vs Connecticut
A court case that is considered one of the most liberal decisions in US Supreme Court. It was in regards to the Connecticut Law that prohibited the use of the contraceptive pill. The law was overturned as it was believed it violated maternal privacy. -
National Organization for Women
The National Organization for Women (NOW) was founded in the United States. Betty Frieden was one of eight co-founders and was the first president from 1966-70. -
Equal Pay
Australian women win equal pay rights to men doing comparable work under a decision by the Arbitration Commission. Pay parity was not practically acheived until 1972. -
Zelda D'Aprano
Zelda D'Aprano chained herself to the Commonwealth Building in Spring Street for an Equal Pay Campaign. In 2004 she was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia in recongnition of her work in fighting for equal rights in the workplace. -
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Equal Rights Amendment
By the early 1970's, women were pushing for a specific right stated in the Equality Rights Amendment (ERA). It was that "equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of sex". When it was put to vote in 1972, it failed to be ratified. The scare campaign by anti-feminists such as Phyllis Schlafly was successful by claiming that it would promote family breakups, homosexual marriage and unisex toilets. -
The Female Eunuch by Germaine Greer
Germaine Greer wrote the book The Female Eunuch that brought forward the idea that typical suburban life oppressed a womans identity and sexuality, and they were unable to change their own lives, being rendered impotent. After publication, Greer's book became an interational bestseller and she became an influencial voice of Australian feminism. -
Ita Buttrose
Ita Buttrose was the founding editor of Australian women's magazine Cleo. It was groundbreaking material that focused on women's sexuality and health and even featured a nude male centre-fold. It gained celebrity status and sold its entire original print run in just two days. -
ANZAC Day
Women were arrested on ANZAC Day for marching to remember women who were raped in war. -
Australia signs CEDAW
Australia signs to United Nations Convention for Elimination of All Form of Discrimination Against Women known as the international bill of rights for women. -
National Foundation for Australian Women
The official launch of the National Foundation for Australian Women. A series of mini launches were held in the following six months.
