Women’s Rights Timeline

By: Sarah Kroth |

1848	Seneca Falls Convention, the “Declaration of Sentiments” is written
1890	NAWSA is formed
1916	Margret Sanger opens first birth control clinic in New York
1919	Federal woman suffrage amendment is passed, giving the women the right to vote
1960	FDA approves birth control
1963	Betty Friedan publishesThe Feminine Mystique
1963	The “Equal Pay Act” is passed
1964	Civil Rights Act makes it illegal to disseminate in employment based on race or sex
1966	The National Organization for Women (NOW) is founded with Betty Friedan as president
1972	Title IX prohibits discrimination in schools based on sex: mostly applies to sports
1973	Roe v Wade, the Supreme Court rules women have the right to safe, legal abortion.
1976	The first law against marital rape is enacted in Nebraska
1978	“Pregnancy Discrimination Act” says a woman cannot be fired, denied a job, or a promotion because she is or may become pregnant
1981	Sandra Day O’Connor becomes first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court
1988	Jenson v Eveleth Taconite Co. the first class action sexual harassment suit is filed and won.
1994	“Violence against Women Act” tightens penalties for sex offenders, funds services for victims of rape and domestic violence, and provides for special training of police officers
1997	Madeleine K. Albright becomes first woman U.S. Secretary of State
2005	Condoleezza Rice becomes the first African-American woman appointed Secretary of State
2005	The Supreme Court rules that retaliation against those complaining of sexual discrimination is a violation of Title IX in Jackson v. Birmingham Board of Education
2009	President Obama signs the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, allowing people to file a complaint against their employer for pay discrimination up to 180 days after each paycheck