-
During the mid 19th century, people moved out of their houses to work in Industrial textile towns and earn small salaries to feed their families. Women began working outside the home for the first time.
-
Congress passes a law giving women equal pay for equal work.
-
Jane Adams founds the Hull House to assist the poor in Chicago, becoming a model for other settlement houses.
-
"Mother" Jones protests against child victims of industrial accidents from Philadelphia to New York.
-
Jeanette Rankin gets elected to the House of Representatives, serving two terms.
-
A shortage of workers during WWII opens a large range of high-paying jobs to women. Almost seven million women enter the workforce.
-
In 1964 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is founded, emposing punishments for discrimination of sex.
-
A group of feminists lead by Betty Friedan. NOW becomes the largest women's rights group in the US seeking to end sexual discrimination, especially in the workplace.
-
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is passed by Congress. The amendment reads: "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." but the amendment died in 1982.
-
Sandra Day O'Connor becomes the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
-
Sally Ride becomes the first woman in space.
-
During the Gulf War, women serve in combat for the first time
-
The labor-market participation rate for 25-44 year old women rises from 20% to 75% between 1900 and 1999.
-
Of married working women, 48% provide at least half of household income, some making more than their husbands.
