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Colorado is the first state to adopt an amendment granting women the right to vote. The other states follow suit over the next several years.
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The National Women's Trade Union League (WTUL) is established to advocate for improved wages and working conditions for women.
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The Federal Women's Suffrage Amendment is passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate.
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National Council of Negro Women is created. This group of black women lobbies against job discrimination, racism, and sexism.
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The federal law prohibiting the distribution of contraceptive information through the mail is modified. With this, birth control is no longer classified as obscene.
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The first lesbian organization in the United States is founded,The Daughters of Bilitis (DOB).
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President John Kennedy establishes the President's Commission on the Status of Women and appoints Eleanor Roosevelt as chairwoman.
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Ms. Magazine, a major forum for feminist voices, is first published as a regular issue. Cofounder and editor, Gloria Steinem, was considered an icon of the modern feminist movement.
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The Pregnancy Discrimination Act bans employment discrimination against pregnant women.
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The Violence Against Women Act strengthens punishments for sex offenders. This act created funds services for victims of rape and domestic violence, and provides for special training of police officers.