The Women’s Movement

1. Feminism Revived: The Women’s Movement

2. Significance • Cultural definitions of femaleness and maleness reshaped. • Criticism of compulsory heterosexuality reduced stigma • of single and/or homosexual lives. • Substantial change in punitive attitudes/laws on rape and • domestic violence. • Establishment of women’s right to work/equal pay. • Rebirth of history of women.

3. Origins • Feminists of 1910s+ • NWP: Equal Rights Amendment • Social reforms in New Deal 1920 “Flapper”

4. Emergence • Economy draws increasing numbers of women • More women in higher ed. • Availability of The Pill • Civil Rights Movement • Commission on Status, • 1961

5. “Problem with No Name” Betty Friedan, c. 1963 • Challenge to educated homemakers

6. Working Women Organize • 1964: Commission reports pervasive sex discrimination; • State commissions formed. • 1964: Title VII prohibits job • discrimination • 1966: NOW born out of • national convention for • State Commissions on Women

7. Gloria Steinem • Journalist • Article about Playboy bunnies • 1969 article: “After Black Power, Women’s Liberation” • 1972: Ms. Magazine founded 1934-?

8. Young Women Organize • 1965: White women within civil rights and “New Left” groups discuss sexism • Sought radical critique of system • like other sixties groups • Embraced decentralization esp. “consciousness raising groups” 1968 “Women’s Liberation” protest, Miss America pageant

9. Radical Critique • Gender constructed by society, not biology • Critique of : • nuclear family; • normative heterosexuality; • violence against women; • sexist health care, etc. 1970

10. Counter-culture • Mid-1970s: • Interest in female separatism, • Counter culture pursuits • Weakened radical feminism • By default, liberal feminism became • “voice” of feminism

11. Mainstream Attention • “Battle of the Sexes,” Sept. 1973 • Billie Jean King v. Bobby Riggs King-Riggs grudge match, 1973

12. Push for ERA Alice Paul, 1885-1977 ERA March on Washington, 1978

13. ERA Progress • 1972 passage • 7-year deadline • 22 states 1st year • 3-year extension • 35 of 38 states ratified • Renewed push

14. Backlash • Feminism means male irresponsibility, • more female vulnerability • ERA would eliminate privacy rights, • force abortions, send women into combat, • deny spousal support, etc.

15. Changes Proceed? • Movement expands into multiplicity of causes: • Violence & Pornography • Athletics • Education • Women’s Studies/History • Legislative Reform • Electoral successes

16. Women in Sports 2003-2004 Survey of High School Athletics

17. Long & Wide View United Nations Decade of Women Millenium Development Goals Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education. Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women. Goals 4 and 5: Reduce child mortality and improve maternal health. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability. Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development.

18. Significance • Cultural definitions of femaleness and maleness reshaped. • Criticism of compulsory heterosexuality reduced stigma • of single and/or homosexual lives. • Substantial change in punitive attitudes/laws on rape and • domestic violence. • Establishment of women’s right to work/equal pay. • Rebirth of history of women.

19. Questions?