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The first women's rights convention is held in Seneca Falls, New York. After 2 days of discussion and debate, 68 women and 32 men sign a Declaration of Sentiments, which outlines grievances and sets the agenda for the women's rights movement. A set of 12 resolutions is adopted calling for equal treatment of women and men under the law and voting rights for women. Read more: Women's Rights Movement in the U.S.: Timeline of Events (1848-1920) — Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/spot/womens
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Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton form the National Woman Suffrage Association. The primary goal of the organization is to achieve voting rights for women by means of a Congressional amendment to the Constitution.
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Wyoming passes first womans suffrage law, allowing woman to vote.
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The National Association of Colored Women is formed, bringing together more than 100 black women's clubs. Leaders in the black women's club movement include Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin, Mary Church Terrell, Ida B. Wells, and Anna Julia Cooper.
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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 nineteenth amendment allowed women to have the right to vote in any political election.
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Margaret Sanger founds the American Birth Control League, which evolves into the Planned Parenthood Federation of America in 1942.
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Mary McLeod Bethune organizes the National Council of Negro Women, a coalition of black women's groups that lobbies against job discrimination, racism, and sexism.
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The Food and Drug Administration approves birth control pills.
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Congress passes the Equal Pay Act, making it illegal for employers to pay a woman less than what a man would receive for the same job.
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California becomes the first state to adopt a "no fault" divorce law, which allows couples to divorce by mutual consent. By 1985 every state has adopted a similar law. Laws are also passed regarding the equal division of common property.
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As a result of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court establishes a woman's right to safe and legal abortion, overriding the anti-abortion laws of many states.