Women political rights 1960-92 Flashcards
How was NOW formed?
Women’s movement linked to civil rights movement. In 1964 Howard Smith, a Southern Congressman, jokingly said that sex should be added to Civil Rights Act. His amendment was adopted leading to formation of NOW in 1966 which sought to bring women into mainstream society with an equal relationship to men. A more vague goal which threatened suburban culture.
What was motivation for NOW?
Motivations: Betty Friedan, NOW former, sought for social and political change with her book The Feminine Mystique, published in 1963, alongside the Report on American Women published in 1963 which included several highly educated female authors highlighting inequality in pay, opportunities, political participation, and status, Kennedy’s New Frontier sought progression.
How did suburbs limit women?
A rise in suburbs threatened political and social progress of women. By 1970s over 80 million Americans, or 40% of population, lived in suburbs and it developed a particular culture inspiring a divide in the roles and responsibilities of the sexes and acted against women taking an active political role.
What did Lyndon B Johnson offer?
Lyndon B Johnson was Kennedy’s successor and aimed to create a Great Society with healthcare and education reform alongside promotion of civil rights and progressive progress. This would be limited by women’s lack of unity, conservative opposition often from women, failure of parties to take up causes directly, and radicalism hurting mainstream support.
What did NOW campaign for?
NOW sought to defend women’s rights to choice with abortion, as expressed in the NOW conference of 1967. Women’s groups were diverse, focusing on different issues such as paid maternity leave, tax concessions for housewives, but all sought equality in politics, education, and employment. Women’s Equity League Action fought against 300 schools and colleges discriminating against women.
Why was ERA failing?
The ERA was sought after. From 1923-70 it continued to be brought up but only in 1970 was it discussed by both houses of Congress. In 1950 and 1953 it had been brought to the Senate with the condition women kept their existing and future protections. This wasn’t entirely equal. In 1961 Kennedy appointed a commission on the status of women and in 1963 passed an Equal Pay Act which made ERA useless.
How did Martha Griffiths and NOW campaign for the ERA?
From 1967 NOW made the ERA their goal and key speeches were made by supporters in Congress. In Feb 1970 supporters picketed Congress during congressional committee considering lowering the age of voting. In August 1972 20,000 striked, supported by Martha Griffiths, a Congresswoman, calling for full equality. In 1972 Martha Griffiths passed a resolution calling for an ERA. An edited version exempting women from draft passed Congress. She was the first female Democrat to be elected to Congress by Michigan. President Nixon accepted the measure, 30 states ratified.
Who opposed ERA?
Phyllis Schafly, Republican from Illinois, opposed the ERA and organised women to spread the message against it. Arguments included the fact that the ERA seemed at large a measure for young single women and would hurt older women who wanted alimony and working class women needing protection. To continue, ERA hurt traditional values and women may not win custody as easy.
What undermined ERA support?
Nixon announced his silent majority in 1969 and it asserted itself with a move towards conservatism. By 1980 Reagan won and Republicans withdrew ERA support. ERA had less backing in 80s than in 70s.
What did Johnson do for NOW?
NOW had success with Johnson. In 1967 the Executive Order 11375 meant women in company positions wouldn’t be discriminated against and Title VI was passed with Johnson appointing 50 women to top government positions with NO advice.
What was the Weeks v Southern Bell case?
1967 Weeks v Southern Bell – Lorena Weeks brought Southern Bell Telephone Company to court for promoting a man despite her better experience. Lost first case so NOW appointed Sylvia Roberts, chief Louisiana lawyer, to take on case. Husband and children embarrassed, but court ruled violation of Title VII and Weeks won job eventually by 1971 and $31,000 back pay.
How did consciousness raising become more popular?
The feminist movement prioritised consciousness raising, a political activity where feminists met in small groups and discussed the position of women and sexual relationships. Feminist Kate Millet in 1970 wrote Sexual Politics, raising awareness to how every avenue of power was in the hands of men.
How did wealth gap rise?
In 1956 women earned 63% of what men did. In the agitation of the 1970s this had fallen to 57%. Day care centres were not abundant enough and there was no tax relief for children until 1977.
What was participation in women’s groups in the 70s?
In the 1970s 80,000-100,000 were in women’s groups. The support was wider, pertaining to health, abortion, marriage and divorce, sexuality, and rights for older women and working women. This was second wave feminism.
What was position by 80s-90s?
In the 1980s women made almost half of the population earning undergraduate and master degrees but in 1990 less than 8% of engineers were women with women continuing to study female subjects. In 1984 the first female vice president Geraldine Ferraro ran and was on the losing side. Women still made 32% less than men and in 1981 Jeanne Fitzpatrick was appointed ambassador to the UN.
