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Women had not won the right to vote
The 15th Amendment received final ratification and stated “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” This insists that along with white men, African-Americans are now allowed vote, but women are not. (Class note, "What is freedom?") -
Wyoming movement
The Wyoming state convention approves a constitution that includes a provision granting women the right to vote and became the first state in the history of the nation to allow its female citizens to vote. (usnews.com) -
Women's right to control property
All states in the US passed a legislation modeled after New York’s Married Women’s Property Act (1848), granting married women some control over their property and earnings. (Freedom's Boundaries, At Home and Abroad, 1890-1900) -
Work time limit for women
Muller v State of Oregon, 208 U.S. 412 (1908): The U.S. Supreme Court upholds Oregon’s 10-hour workday for women. The win is a two-edged sword: the protective legislation implies that women are physically weak. (nwhp.org) -
Government employment
The National Recovery Act forbids more than one family member from holding a government job, resulting in many women losing their jobs. (nwhp.org) -
Public health and safety
Judicial approval of medicinal use of birth control is established. (history.com) -
Minimum wage
The Fair Labor Standards Act establishes minimum wage without regard to sex.(Class note, FDR and the New Deal) -
Jury service
Fay v. New York, 332 U.S. 261 (1947), the U.S. Supreme Court says women are equally qualified with men to serve on juries but are granted an exemption and may serve or not as women choose. (nwhp.org) -
Equality
The Equal Pay Act is passed, promising equitable wages for the same work, regardless of the race, color, religion, national origin or sex of the worker.(nwhp.org) -
Women employment
Executive Order 11246 prohibits sex discrimination by government contractors and requires affirmative action plans for hiring women. (nwhp.com) -
Rape issues
The Violence Against Women Act funds services for victims of rape and domestic violence, allows women to seek civil rights remedies for gender-related crimes, provides training to increase police and court officials’ sensitivity and a national 24-hour hotline for battered women. (nwhp.com) -
Military service
The ban against women in military combat positions is removed; this overturned a 1994 Pentagon decision restricting women from combat roles. (nwhp.com)
