The Women’s Suffrage The Women’s Suffrage MovementMovement

NOTESNOTES

EQ:EQ: How have roles in How have roles in society changed over society changed over time?time?

I.I. Origins of the women’s rights Origins of the women’s rights movementsmovements

A.A. Women’s role in society began Women’s role in society began to change in the mid-1800’s. to change in the mid-1800’s. Before this time, women had Before this time, women had few opportunities and limited few opportunities and limited rights.rights.

1.1. Women seldom received any Women seldom received any education beyond elementary education beyond elementary school.school.

2.2. It was acceptable for single It was acceptable for single women to work in the new women to work in the new factories for a few years before factories for a few years before getting married. Married women’s getting married. Married women’s proper activities were limited to proper activities were limited to running the household and child-running the household and child-rearing. rearing.

3.3. The only professions acceptable The only professions acceptable for women were things like for women were things like nursing or teaching school. In nursing or teaching school. In these limited opportunities these limited opportunities outside the home, women outside the home, women could expect to get paid half of could expect to get paid half of what a man would earn for the what a man would earn for the same work. same work.

4.4. Women were not welcome Women were not welcome in politics. They could not in politics. They could not vote or sit on juries. They vote or sit on juries. They had limited protection had limited protection under the law to property under the law to property rights and even rights and even guardianship of their guardianship of their children.children.

B.B. The Women’s Rights The Women’s Rights Movement can be traced Movement can be traced back to the Second Great back to the Second Great Awakening. This religious Awakening. This religious revival that began in the revival that began in the United States in the 1820’s United States in the 1820’s created an increased role created an increased role for women in society.for women in society.

1.1. Before the Awakening, it was Before the Awakening, it was considered improper for considered improper for women to be involved in public women to be involved in public life, instead being regulated to life, instead being regulated to running their households. Two running their households. Two single issues were considered single issues were considered appropriate for female appropriate for female attention though.attention though.

a.a. The Awakening helped The Awakening helped fuel the abolition—or fuel the abolition—or anti-slavery—movement. anti-slavery—movement. And it was considered And it was considered acceptable for women to acceptable for women to involve themselves in involve themselves in moral crusades like this. moral crusades like this.

b.b. The Temperance movement also had The Temperance movement also had its origins in the Second Great its origins in the Second Great Awakening. Temperance is the social Awakening. Temperance is the social movement for the reduced—or even movement for the reduced—or even abstinence from—consumption of abstinence from—consumption of alcohol. It was also considered proper alcohol. It was also considered proper for women to be involved in this for women to be involved in this issue, especially since women suffered issue, especially since women suffered from men’s over consumption of from men’s over consumption of alcohol.alcohol.

2.2. Once women were allowed Once women were allowed a voice on these issues, a voice on these issues, however, it was only a however, it was only a matter of time before matter of time before women would turn their women would turn their attention to the systematic attention to the systematic denial of their rights.denial of their rights.

II.II. The Woman’s Suffrage Movement The Woman’s Suffrage Movement (1848-1920)(1848-1920)A.A. In 1848, a meeting was held in In 1848, a meeting was held in

Seneca Falls, NY. Known as the Seneca Falls, NY. Known as the Seneca Falls Convention, the two-Seneca Falls Convention, the two-day event was the first major day event was the first major meeting dedicated to women’s meeting dedicated to women’s rights and notable attendees rights and notable attendees included Elizabeth Cady Stanton, included Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott and Frederick Lucretia Mott and Frederick Douglass. Douglass.

1.1. The controversial issue of The controversial issue of the day was whether to the day was whether to fight for suffrage—or the fight for suffrage—or the right to vote—or to just right to vote—or to just concentrate on basic rights concentrate on basic rights (women often were not (women often were not recognized by law).recognized by law).

2.2. It was at the Seneca Falls Convention It was at the Seneca Falls Convention that the that the Declaration of Rights and Declaration of Rights and SentimentsSentiments (also known as the (also known as the Declaration of SentimentsDeclaration of Sentiments or the or the Seneca Falls DeclarationSeneca Falls Declaration) was signed. ) was signed. Written primarily by Stanton, the Written primarily by Stanton, the attendees debated and revised the attendees debated and revised the document and its list of grievances. document and its list of grievances. Stanton purposely copied the style of Stanton purposely copied the style of the Declaration of Independence when the Declaration of Independence when drafting the drafting the Declaration of SentimentsDeclaration of Sentiments..

3.3. As a result of the ideas presented at As a result of the ideas presented at the Convention, many women the Convention, many women attempted to become more involved in attempted to become more involved in economic, social and political life.economic, social and political life.

a.a. Women’s role in the economy Women’s role in the economy began to change after the Civil War, began to change after the Civil War, as the nation started to as the nation started to industrializeindustrialize

1)1) More women—particularly poor and More women—particularly poor and lower working class women—had to lower working class women—had to work for wages outside the home.work for wages outside the home.

2)2) Many women worked in the garment Many women worked in the garment industry, working in sweatshops industry, working in sweatshops making clothing. Conditions in these making clothing. Conditions in these factories were poor and unsafe. They factories were poor and unsafe. They worked long hours for low pay (half worked long hours for low pay (half what men made).what men made).

b.b. Women also began to receive more Women also began to receive more educational opportunities. educational opportunities.

1)1) Women began to work in other Women began to work in other places, such as offices, stores and places, such as offices, stores and schoolhouses, in jobs that required schoolhouses, in jobs that required a high school education. a high school education. Consequently, more women than Consequently, more women than men received their high school men received their high school diplomas.diplomas.

2)2) By the late 1800’s, more By the late 1800’s, more women were able to go to women were able to go to new women’s colleges. new women’s colleges. Many of the leaders of the Many of the leaders of the next phase of the women’s next phase of the women’s rights movement were rights movement were educated at these colleges.educated at these colleges.

B.B. Before the Civil War, Before the Civil War, qualifications for voting were qualifications for voting were set by State constitutions. But set by State constitutions. But during Reconstruction, Congress during Reconstruction, Congress passed the 15th Amendment, passed the 15th Amendment, granting African-American granting African-American males the right to vote. So males the right to vote. So there were two possible ways there were two possible ways to get women the vote:to get women the vote:

1.1. One was to get state One was to get state legislatures to amend legislatures to amend State constitutions State constitutions granting women the granting women the vote.vote.

2.2. Another was to get Congress to Another was to get Congress to propose a Constitutional propose a Constitutional amendment with a 2/3 majority amendment with a 2/3 majority vote in both Houses. The vote in both Houses. The Amendment then must be Amendment then must be approved by ¾ of the States, approved by ¾ of the States, whether by their state legislatures whether by their state legislatures or by special conventions or by special conventions appointed by them.appointed by them.

3.3. Another way for an Another way for an Amendment to be proposed is Amendment to be proposed is for 2/3 of the State legislatures for 2/3 of the State legislatures (or special conventions) and (or special conventions) and then approved by ¾ of the then approved by ¾ of the states (legislatures or states (legislatures or conventions).conventions).

The Amendment ProcessThe Amendment Process

ProposalProposal

Proposed by a 2/3 vote Proposed by a 2/3 vote in both houses of in both houses of

CongressCongress

OROR

Proposed by 2/3 of Proposed by 2/3 of state legislatures call for state legislatures call for

a national convention a national convention (never used)(never used)

RatificationRatification

Passage by ¾ of state Passage by ¾ of state legislatureslegislatures

OROR

Passage by ¾ of special Passage by ¾ of special state conventions (only state conventions (only used once for the 21used once for the 21stst

Amendment)Amendment)

C.C. In May of 1869, the National In May of 1869, the National Woman Suffrage Association Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) was formed by Elizabeth (NWSA) was formed by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Rochesterian Cady Stanton and Rochesterian Susan B. Anthony. The Susan B. Anthony. The organization’s primary goal of the organization’s primary goal of the organization was to get a organization was to get a Congressional amendment to the Congressional amendment to the Constitution to earn the right to Constitution to earn the right to vote for women.vote for women.

1.1. Later that November, Lucy Later that November, Lucy Stone forms the American Stone forms the American Woman Suffrage Association Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA), which sought to (AWSA), which sought to gain suffrage by passing gain suffrage by passing amendments to individual amendments to individual state constitutions.state constitutions.

2.2. By 1890, the National Women By 1890, the National Women Suffrage Association and the Suffrage Association and the American Women Suffrage American Women Suffrage Association merge into the Association merge into the National American Woman National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). The Suffrage Association (NAWSA). The organization fought to get suffrage organization fought to get suffrage on the state level, getting states to on the state level, getting states to pass amendments to their own pass amendments to their own constitutions.constitutions.

D.D. The country’s first women's The country’s first women's suffrage law was passed on suffrage law was passed on December 10, 1869, in the December 10, 1869, in the territory of Wyoming.territory of Wyoming.

1.1. Colorado adopted an Colorado adopted an amendment granting amendment granting women’s suffrage in 1890. women’s suffrage in 1890.

2.2. Utah and Idaho came next, in Utah and Idaho came next, in 1896; followed by Washington 1896; followed by Washington (1910), California (1911), (1910), California (1911), Oregon, Kansas, and Arizona Oregon, Kansas, and Arizona (1912), Alaska and Illinois (1912), Alaska and Illinois (1913), Montana and Nevada (1913), Montana and Nevada (1914), New York (1917) and (1914), New York (1917) and Michigan, South Dakota, and Michigan, South Dakota, and Oklahoma in (1918).Oklahoma in (1918).

E.E. The Progressive Era, when The Progressive Era, when reformers and activists reformers and activists fought to improve social ills, fought to improve social ills, mostly caused by mostly caused by industrialization, gave industrialization, gave women a stronger voice in women a stronger voice in issues of the day. issues of the day.

1.1. Women became Women became involved in fighting involved in fighting against the injustices of against the injustices of early industrialization early industrialization (long hours, low pay, (long hours, low pay, child labor, unsafe child labor, unsafe working condition, etc.).working condition, etc.).

a.a. Events like the Triangle Events like the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911, Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911, in which 146 workers—mostly in which 146 workers—mostly young women—died because young women—died because the doors were chained, caused the doors were chained, caused some middle- and upper-class some middle- and upper-class women to push for change.women to push for change.

b.b. Starting with attempts to Starting with attempts to reform industrial society’s ills, reform industrial society’s ills, women again became a force in women again became a force in politics, organizing into groups politics, organizing into groups like the National Association of like the National Association of Colored Women and the Colored Women and the National Women Suffrage National Women Suffrage Association.Association.

2.2. Again, as women were Again, as women were allowed to advocate for allowed to advocate for change in some arenas, it change in some arenas, it was inevitable that they was inevitable that they turn their attention to turn their attention to women’s rights.women’s rights.

F.F. Motivated in part by the Motivated in part by the British women’s British women’s suffragettes and their suffragettes and their success, the women’s success, the women’s suffrage movement suffrage movement regained momentum in the regained momentum in the early 1900’s.early 1900’s.

1.1. In 1913, Alice Paul and Lucy Burns In 1913, Alice Paul and Lucy Burns formed the Congressional Union formed the Congressional Union (late the National Women's (late the National Women's Party), which sought to get a Party), which sought to get a federal Constitutional amendment federal Constitutional amendment passed to gain the right to vote. passed to gain the right to vote. Members famously picketed at Members famously picketed at the White House and organized the White House and organized other protests.other protests.

2.2. In 1919, the federal woman In 1919, the federal woman suffrage amendment, originally suffrage amendment, originally written by Susan B. Anthony written by Susan B. Anthony and introduced in Congress in and introduced in Congress in 1878, passed by both House of 1878, passed by both House of Congress by the requisite 2/3 Congress by the requisite 2/3 majority. It is then sent to the majority. It is then sent to the states for ratification, as states for ratification, as outlined in the Constitution.outlined in the Constitution.

3.3. On August 26, 1920, the On August 26, 1920, the Amendment was ratified when Amendment was ratified when 3/4 of the States (Tennessee 3/4 of the States (Tennessee was the 36th/ 48). The was the 36th/ 48). The Amendment says that “the Amendment says that “the right of citizens to vote shall right of citizens to vote shall not be denied or abridged by not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any the United States or by any state on account of sex.” state on account of sex.”

III.III. The Woman’s Liberation The Woman’s Liberation Movement (1950s-1970s) Movement (1950s-1970s) A.A. Despite having won the Despite having won the

right to vote by 1920, right to vote by 1920, women still faced women still faced discrimination, causing a discrimination, causing a movement fighting for movement fighting for woman’s rights in the woman’s rights in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. 1950s, 60s and 70s.

B.B. During the World Wars (1917-During the World Wars (1917-1918 and 1941-1945), women’s 1918 and 1941-1945), women’s roles in American society was roles in American society was transformed. Women took jobs transformed. Women took jobs in factories as the men who in factories as the men who previously worked there went previously worked there went off to fight the war, as off to fight the war, as symbolized by the image of symbolized by the image of Rosie the Riveter.Rosie the Riveter.

C.C. Alice Paul wrote the Equal Alice Paul wrote the Equal Rights Amendment in 1923, and Rights Amendment in 1923, and presented it to Congress. presented it to Congress.

1.1. The ERA was introduced in The ERA was introduced in every session of Congress every session of Congress until 1972, but for most of until 1972, but for most of those years was bottled up those years was bottled up in committee. in committee.

2.2. In 1972, the Equal Rights In 1972, the Equal Rights Amendment was passed by Amendment was passed by Congress and sent to the Congress and sent to the states to be ratified. It did states to be ratified. It did not get the required ¾ of not get the required ¾ of the states to make it law.the states to make it law.

D.D. By the 1960’s, a renewed push By the 1960’s, a renewed push for women’s rights, was for women’s rights, was inspired by the Civil Rights inspired by the Civil Rights Movement, began. Movement, began.

1.1. Feminism is the belief that Feminism is the belief that women should have economic, women should have economic, political and social equality political and social equality with men— Women pointed to with men— Women pointed to how women still received less how women still received less pay than men for the same pay than men for the same work, were seldom promoted work, were seldom promoted and were shutout from some and were shutout from some professions. professions.

2.2. This movement was sparked, in This movement was sparked, in part, by the publication of Betty part, by the publication of Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique in Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique in 1957. The controversial book was 1957. The controversial book was critical of the idea that women critical of the idea that women achieved happiness by raising a achieved happiness by raising a family and questioned the family and questioned the traditional role of women in traditional role of women in American society.American society.

3.3. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 also The Civil Rights Act of 1964 also helped inspire the movement. It helped inspire the movement. It prohibited discrimination based on prohibited discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, and race, religion, national origin, and gender. It also created the Equal gender. It also created the Equal Employment Opportunities Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) to hear and Commission (EEOC) to hear and rule on discrimination cases.rule on discrimination cases.

4.4. Because the EEOC didn’t focus on Because the EEOC didn’t focus on women’s issues, the National women’s issues, the National Organization of Women (NOW) Organization of Women (NOW) formed to fight for women’s rights. formed to fight for women’s rights. NOW fought gender-based hiring NOW fought gender-based hiring practices and for the creation of practices and for the creation of day care centers to allow women day care centers to allow women to work.to work.

5.5. In an effort to stop discrimination, In an effort to stop discrimination, new policies were made under new policies were made under President John F. Kennedy that President John F. Kennedy that “affirmative action” be taken to “affirmative action” be taken to not discriminate on the basis of not discriminate on the basis of race, religion or national origin. race, religion or national origin. President Lyndon B. Johnson President Lyndon B. Johnson reaffirmed it, adding gender to the reaffirmed it, adding gender to the list in 1968.list in 1968.

a.a. Affirmative Action created new job Affirmative Action created new job opportunities to minorities, including opportunities to minorities, including womenwomen

b.b. The practice became controversial as The practice became controversial as quotas were sometimes used to make quotas were sometimes used to make sure minorities were represented in sure minorities were represented in educational institutions and educational institutions and professions. Use of such quotas has professions. Use of such quotas has been deemed illegal.been deemed illegal.

6.6. In 1972, Congress passed Title IX, In 1972, Congress passed Title IX, which states that "no person in the which states that "no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance..." Title IX opened financial assistance..." Title IX opened opportunities for women in high opportunities for women in high schools and colleges, including sports.schools and colleges, including sports.

7.7. A Supreme Court case challenge a A Supreme Court case challenge a women’s right to have a legal abortion women’s right to have a legal abortion proved to be the most controversial proved to be the most controversial stand NOW ever took. The Rowe v. stand NOW ever took. The Rowe v. Wade decision (1973) said that women Wade decision (1973) said that women have the right to decide to have an have the right to decide to have an abortion in the first three months of abortion in the first three months of pregnancy. Supporters of the decision pregnancy. Supporters of the decision today are called Pro-Choice and people today are called Pro-Choice and people who oppose it are Pro-Life.who oppose it are Pro-Life.

9.9. Through the 1970s and 1980s, Through the 1970s and 1980s, women gained greater equality, women gained greater equality, but issues still exist. In the but issues still exist. In the 1990’s women still face the 1990’s women still face the “glass ceiling,” a term that “glass ceiling,” a term that refers to when the promotion of refers to when the promotion of a qualified person is stopped a qualified person is stopped due to racism or sexism.due to racism or sexism.