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Period: to
1800- Present
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The First American Congregation of Religious Sisters
Elizabeth Ann Seton founded the first American Congregation of Religious Sisters, the Sisters of Charity in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The congregation's school was the first Catholic school in America. -
The Star- Spangled Banner Flag
Mary Pickersgill was asked to make two flags for Ft. McHenry. The larger flag, The Star- Spangled Banner Flag, had 15 stars and stripes. The flag was 30 by 42 feet. The two flags took about seven weeks to make. -
Pennsylvania vs Addicks
In the case Pennsylvania vs Addicks, the law that stated men receive custody of their children in the case of divorce was challenged. The common law was changed to the concept of "best interests of the child" in custody cases rather than the automatic parental guardianship handed over to the father. -
The Troy Female Seminary
Emma Willard opens the first school that offers higher education for women. The school was located in Troy, New York and acheived tremedous success. The school taught math, philosophy, geography, history, and science. -
First Women's Rights Convention
The First Women's Rights Convention met in Seneca Falls, New York in July 1848. About 260 men and women met to discuss women's role in society. 100 men and women eventually signed the Declaration of Sentiments that declared women should have the right to vote. This started the women's suffrage movement. -
Elizabeth Blackwell- First Woman to Achieve a Medical Degree in the U.S.
Elizabeth Blackwell received a degree from Geneva Medical Center in New York. In New York City, Blackwell eventually opened up her own practice in which she had very few patients. In 1857, Blackwell along with a few other women who had obtained medical degrees opened New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children. -
Sojourner Truth- "Ain't I a Woman"
"Ain't I a Women" was a speech given at the Ohio Women's Rights Convention. The speech discussed the inequalities facing women especially African American women. -
First Woman Admitted into the Supreme Court Bar
Belva Ann Lockwood was the first woman admitted into the Supreme Court bar. Before being admitted into the Supreme Court bar Belva was admitted to the District of Colombia bar in 1873. Belva was an advocate of women's rights. -
The Hull House is Founded
The Hull House was co- founded by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr. The house was located in Chicago and the main mission of the Hull House was to "provide social and educational opportunites for working class people". Many of the residents of the Hull House were recents immigrants from Europe. -
National American Woman Suffrage Association Formed
The NAWSA was a combination of the National Woman Suffrage Association and the American Woman Suffrage Association. This organization was the largest and most important suffrage association. This organization pushed for the right for women to vote. Susan B. Anthony was a prominent member of the association. -
The Girl Scouts of America was Founded
The Girl Scouts of America was founded by Juliette Gordon Law. The mission of Girl Scouts is to "help teach values such as honesty, fairness, courage, compassion, character, sisterhood, confidence, and citizenship through activities including camping, community service, learning first aid, and earning badges by acquiring other practical skills". -
19th Amendment Ratified
The 19th Amendment of the Constitution "prohibits any United States citizen to be denied the right to vote based on sex". The amendment was first drafted and introduced in 1878 by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, but was officially ratified on August 18, 1920. -
First Woman to Fly Across the Atlantic
Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the atlantic on June 17-18, 1928. The flight took her 20 hours and 40 minutes to accomplish in her Fokker F7, Friendship. She flew from Harbor Grace, Newfoundland to Londonderry, Ireland. Amelia believed this flight showed men that women were equal in "jobs requiring intelligence, coordination, speed, coolness and willpower". -
Women's Armed Services Integration Act
The Women's Armed Services integration Act allowed women to serve as permanent, regular members of the military. Women could serve in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. Before this act, women could only serve in the military in times of war and they were limited in their service. -
"The Feminine Mystique" is Published
"The Femine Mystique" was a nonfiction book by Betty Friedan. The book describes the unhappiness of many housewives of America. The book was a major part of the beginning of the second- wave of feminism. -
Equal Pay Act
The Equal Pay Act of 1963 was part of John F. Kennedy's New Frontier program. The Equal Pay Act "prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of gender by compensating workers differently for jobs that require equal skill, effort and responsibility". -
Title IX
Title IX is part of the 1972 Education Amendment. It states that "no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance". This act had a huge impact on high school and college sports. -
Roe vs Wade
Roe v Wade was a very controversial case. The Supreme Court ruled that women have the right to abort a fetus during the first trimester of pregnancy. -
Pregnancy Discrimination Act
This prohibits sex discrimination on the basis of pregnancy. With this act employers are required to treat pregnant employees the same as all other employees. This act also allows a woman to take a 4 month pregnancy leave. -
First Women to become Speaker of the House
Nancy Pelosi served as the 60th Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2007- 2011. She is the first woman ever to hold this office. As of right now, Nancy Pelosi is the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
