Civil Rights and Government

1. Feminist Movement

The feminist movement consisted of many stages that each would bring the women a step closer to becoming socially equal to the men. The Seneca Falls Declaration was signed on July 19, 1848 which would culminate in the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, which have the Women a right to vote. Winning the right to vote however did not win equal status for women. Women tried to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, which was introduced in congress in 1923 and passed by congress in 1972, stating that “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by any state on account of sex” Despite public support, the amendment failed to acquire the necessary support from ¾ of the state legislatures. The denial of this amendment made the women work even harder for equal rights. In the 1971 case of Reed v. Reed. The court upheld for the first time a claim of gender discrimination. Five years later the case of Craig v. Boren established the “medium scrutiny” standard for determining gender discrimination. The women received more equality but they still were not satisfied until they received total equality and that included equality in the workplace and in the military. The women established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission which gave women the right to sue their employers based on discrimination in the work place. Also the women strived to end comparable worth which gave men more money for the same jobs. The Women’s Army Corps was established to let the women be a part of the army. Women are allowed to join the any part of the military, but they may not fight in combat. After more than 200 years women have battled and achieved some of the most important equal rights laws. Women have gained political importance and are socially pretty much equal to men now.

2. Affirmative action-race and ethnicity