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Seneca Falls Convention
The very first convention about women's rights was held July 19-20, 1848 in Seneca Falls, New York. Both men and women participated in the convention. They wrote the "Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions" which was a list of the problems that women's movement would focus on and how they should fix them. Many famous suffrigists, such as Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, participated in the conference. -
Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" speech
Sojourner Truth was a former slave who became a famous women's rights speaker. She gave her famous speach "Ain't I a Woman" at the Women's Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio on May 28, 1851. This speech was very popular and called a lot of attention to women's rights and included African Americans in the movement. -
The American Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton
Clara Barton was one of the most important women in American History. She worked to bring supplies and medical aid to soldiers during the Civil War and in 1881, she found the American Red Cross which is an organization that provides care to people in need. Barton led the Red Cross for over 20 years of her life. -
The Girl Scouts of America is founded
Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts of America on March 12, 1912. She created the group to teach girls about the outdoors. Her nickname was "Daisy" and the youngest group of girl scouts are now known as "Daisy Scouts". -
Jeannette Rankin becomes first female member of Congress
Jeannette Rankin of Montana became the first woman elected to the United States Congress. She was sworn in to her new position on April 2, 1917. She is quoted as saying "I may be the first woman member of Congress, but I won't be the last". -
The 19th amendment to the Constitution was ratified.
After a 75 year fight to win the women's right to vote, the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was finally ratified. Alice Paul was one of the most important women who worked to achieve this goal. -
Amelia Earhart's sole flight across the Atlantic Ocean
Amelia Earhart became the first woman to complete a solo trans-Atlantic flight on May 30, 1932. She planned the flight in secret and took a copy of the day's newspaper with her to prove the date that she flew. Earhart disappeared in July of 1937 during her attempt to fly around the world. Her plane was never found. -
The original 'Rosie the Riveter' is introduced.
Norman Rockwell's portrait of 'Rosie the Riveter' was published on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post on May 29, 1943. This image represented all of the American women who answered the call to work in factories and industry during World War II. -
First game of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was formed during World War II as a way of continuing baseball while many of the sport's players fought in the war. Over 600 talented women were given the opportunity to play while the league was in existence from 1943 through 1954. -
Roe vs. Wade was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court
Roe vs. Wade is the Supreme Court decision that granted American women the right to choose whether or not to have an abortion. This was and has continued to be a a very controversial decision since it was enacted. Each year since 1973 the decision is remembered and many who disagree often try to overturn the ruling.
