Womens Rights Essay Example

American Revolution fighting for freedom from tyranny just 70 years ago, women had not achieved freedom despite taking risks during those dangerous times. Stanton's friends shared her passionate sentiments. This was the first group of women to create and implement a specific and large-scale plan, although there were previous groups discussing similar matters. The impact of their conversation among women friends in upstate New York is still felt today.

In 1998, events are commemorating the significant changes initiated by these fearless women who organized the world's first Women's Rights Convention. Within two days of their meeting, this small group successfully scheduled a convention, found an appropriate venue, and placed an announcement in the Seneca County Courier. The purpose of the convention was to discuss the social, civil, and religious standing and rights of women. It was decided that it would take place at Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls on July 19 and 20, 1848.This historic meeting in Western civilization history was unique because these women were dedicated to improving the new republic and working towards fulfilling its promise of providing citizens with more equality and better lives. Elizabeth Cady Stanton cleverly used the Declaration of Independence as a foundation for creating what she called a "Declaration of Sentiments," thus directly connecting the emerging women's rights movement with the influential symbol of liberty deeply ingrained in American history. Their arguments were based on familiar words from the Declaration: "We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men and women are created equal." Within this Declaration of Sentiments, Stanton meticulously documented instances where women had faced unfair treatment throughout history. She emphasized that men have subjected women

to numerous injustices and oppressions in order to establish complete control over them. This mirrors the original document's inclusion of eighteen grievances against England by America's revolutionary founders. The text reveals past rights denied to women, such as being legally considered dead, having their voting rights denied, and lacking representation in lawmaking. Women also endured a lack of property rights, with husbands holding legal dominance and power to imprison or abuse them. Divorce and child custody laws favored men, whereas women were burdened with property taxes without any say.The employment opportunities for women were limited, resulting in significantly lower pay compared to men. Professions such as medicine and law were inaccessible to women as colleges and universities denied their admission. Women were generally prohibited from involvement in church affairs, causing a loss of self-confidence and dependence on men. Astonishingly, these deep inequalities persisted just seventy years after the Revolutionary War, despite the democratic ideals of the new nation. However, in 1848 America, the Declaration of Sentiments drew attention to the dire situation faced by European-American women—an even worse reality for enslaved Black women. Elizabeth Cady Stanton's draft emphasized how unjust laws disenfranchised and degraded women while demanding their immediate admission to all rights and privileges as citizens. Despite hoping for a brighter future for women, challenges arose during the First Women's Rights Convention. While most resolutions in the Declaration of Sentiments received unanimous endorsement with some amendments, there was not unanimous agreement on granting women the right to vote. The idea of allowing women to participate in elections was inconceivable to many individuals, including Stanton's friend Lucretia Mott. The convention sparked a heated debate that

is difficult to imagine today. Elizabeth Cady Stanton's heartfelt pleas failed to sway the assembly members' opinions.
However, when Frederick Douglass, a renowned Black abolitionist and skilled orator spoke, the uproar quieted down. He argued that women, like slaves, deserved liberty and suffrage as it secures all other rights. The resolution eventually passed by a narrow majority. The Declaration of Sentiments acknowledged the anticipation of misunderstanding and ridicule in their mission but vowed to use all available means to achieve their goals. They planned on organizing more conventions throughout the country. After the convention, Stanton's predictions came true as there was a backlash against their demands. Newspaper editors were shocked by the audacity of the Declaration of Sentiments, especially its ninth resolution advocating for women's right to vote. The women faced intense criticism and hostility, leading to immediate backlash for the women's rights movement. Mocking articles, often including the complete text of the declaration and names of its signers, were published. This ridicule had a significant impact on attendees at the convention who reconsidered their position and some even removed their signatures out of embarrassment. However, despite this negative response, most women remained steadfast in their support.Surprisingly,the negative press unintentionally generated widespread awareness and sparked passionate discussions about expanding women's rights in various cities and towns.
The Women's Rights Movement surpassed expectations post-Seneca Falls and continued hosting regular conventions until the start of the Civil War. These gatherings drew such large crowds that limited venue space resulted in turning people away. Throughout the late 19th century, these conventions tackled various issues outlined at Seneca Falls. The story of women's rights activism is remarkable, with influential figures like

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Stone, Sojourner Truth and others dedicating four decades to advocating for women's rights and organizing nationwide events. During this time, there was a shift towards suffrage as a crucial step for further reforms. Despite facing strong opposition, the fight for women's suffrage persisted for 72 years, involving political strategists, organizers, administrators, activists and lobbyists who all played essential roles. Their efforts included employing clever strategies and bold tactics to overcome adversaries while making the most out of limited resources amidst significant challenges. It is important for Americans to acknowledge notable individuals such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Lucy Stone and Esther Morris – who led a successful state campaign in Wyoming in 1869 – just as they recognize influential figures like Thomas JeffersonIn addition, Abigail Scott Duniway fought for suffrage in Oregon, Ida B. Wells-Barnett focused on Washington, and Mary Church Terrell advocated for African-American communities during the early 1900s. Harriot Stanton Blatch and Alice Stone Blackwell continued the legacies of their mothers, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucy Stone, respectively. Anna Howard Shaw and Carrie Chapman Catt were leaders in the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA), while Alice Paul founded and led the radical wing known as the National Woman's Party (NWP). Ruth Bader Ginsburg acknowledges and values these women's contributions to the Women's Rights Movement.

After women gained voting rights in 1920, the Women's Rights Movement continued progressing in various ways. While some suffragists viewed suffrage as their ultimate goal, individuals like Alice Paul recognized that achieving women's rights required ongoing efforts beyond obtaining voting rights. To ensure women took their voting

rights seriously and used them wisely, NAWSA transformed into the League of Women Voters in 1919.

The establishment of the Women's Bureau within the Department of Labor in 1920 aimed to gather information about working conditions for women and advocate for necessary changes. Many suffragists also fought for legislation protecting female workers from abuse and hazardous conditions.In 1923, Alice Paul drafted the Equal Rights Amendment, which aimed to ensure equality between men and women nationwide as part of the United States Constitution. This amendment would be applicable to everyone regardless of their place of residence. Alongside the suffrage movement, another important movement called the birth control movement emerged led by Margaret Sanger, a public health nurse. This movement coincided with the approaching victory of suffrage and brought a visionary aspect to the women's liberation movement. It emphasized women's autonomy over their bodies when it came to reproduction and sexuality. The goal was to educate women about birth control methods so they could make their own choices regarding motherhood and timing, believing that true freedom for modern women meant having this right. Despite facing strict laws opposing this right, Margaret Sanger and her supporters persistently fought for change. In 1936, there was a Supreme Court ruling that declared birth control information no longer obscene; however, it wasn't until 1965 that married couples throughout the United States were legally allowed access to contraceptives. Contrary to popular belief, the Women's Rights Movement did not originate in the 1960s; instead, this decade witnessed a second wave of activism fueled by various events that captured public attention.In 1961, Esther Peterson assumed the role of director for the Women's Bureau of the

Department of Labor. She strongly believed that it was the government's responsibility to actively address discrimination against women. That same year, President Kennedy established the Commission on the Status of Women, with Eleanor Roosevelt as its chairperson. The commission released a report in 1963 that brought attention to widespread discrimination against women in various aspects of American life. This led state and local governments to establish their own commissions to examine conditions and propose necessary changes.

Also in 1963, Betty Friedan published The Feminine Mystique, which was based on a survey conducted among educated middle-class women. Her book exposed the emotional and intellectual oppression these women faced due to limited choices in life, inspiring many others to seek fulfillment beyond traditional homemaker roles.

Furthermore, in 1964, Title VII was included in the Civil Rights Act. This title prohibited employment discrimination based on sex, race, religion, and national origin. Despite attempts to hinder its progress by adding "sex" as a category, the bill successfully passed into law. As a result, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) was established with the purpose of investigating complaints related to discrimination.
In the first five years of operation, the EEOC received 50,000 complaints related to sex discrimination. However, it became evident that the commission lacked enthusiasm in addressing these grievances. To tackle this problem, Betty Friedan partnered with state Commissions on the Status of Women chairs and other feminists to establish a civil rights organization for women similar to NAACP. Thus, NOW (National Organization for Women) was founded in 1966. Alongside this development, various mass-membership organizations were created to cater to the specific needs of different groups of women including Blacks, Latinas, Asian-Americans,

lesbians, welfare recipients, business owners, aspiring politicians, tradeswomen and professional women. Concurrently on college campuses at that time period within the re-emerging Women's Rights Movement; young women desired active participation in anti-war and civil rights movements but faced opposition from men who believed that leadership was exclusively their domain. In response to their role in progressive movements and society as a whole; these young women formed their own "women's liberation" organizations. Throughout this period of time within the re-emerging Women's Rights Movement; women collaborated both collectively and individually on various issues.The women's rights movement brought about various grassroots initiatives, such as the creation of women's newspapers and the establishment of bookstores and cafes in different communities. In addition, they set up battered women's shelters and rape crisis hotlines specifically catering to victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence. Childcare centers were also established to support working mothers, while healthcare professionals opened clinics that provided birth control, family planning counseling, and abortion services for low-income women.

The introduction of Title IX into the Education Codes in 1972 had a significant impact. It resulted in an increase in the number of women professionals in fields like medicine, law, engineering, and architecture. Furthermore, it greatly improved women's participation in athletics with more high school girls getting involved in sports. This growth was evident through American female athletes achieving remarkable success at recent Olympic Games by winning numerous gold, silver, and bronze medals. As a result of Title IX, society has witnessed noticeable changes both in terms of societal perceptions towards gender roles and women's rights.

In 1972, there were reservations from both men and women about voting for a female

president—with 26% admitting they wouldn't do so. However, by 1996 this number significantly decreased to slightly over 5% for women and 8% for men. Additionally, during this period the average age for marriage among women increased from twenty years old to twenty-four years old. Arguably one of the most outstanding consequences of the women's rights movement has been the financial independence gained by many women today.Just twenty-five years ago, it was astonishing that married women were unable to have credit cards in their own names and often needed a male co-signer for bank loans. Additionally, full-time working women earned significantly less than their male counterparts, earning just fifty-nine cents for every dollar. Job advertisements reinforced gender segregation by categorizing positions as "Help wanted - women" or "Help wanted - men," effectively excluding women from many job opportunities.

In 1968, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) declared this practice illegal. However, newspapers largely ignored this requirement due to the EEOC's limited enforcement capabilities. It took persistent efforts from organizations like the National Organization for Women (NOW) and a legal battle that reached the Supreme Court for qualified women today to be able to pursue any desired job.

Today, professions such as dentist, bus driver, veterinarian, airline pilot, and phone installer that were once considered unthinkable for women are now predominantly held by them. These changes were not only brought about through legislation and court cases supported by women's organizations but also through personal achievements.

During the 1960s and '70s, women successfully convinced their husbands to share household chores and parental responsibilities while also receiving well-deserved promotions at work. They also gained the courage to leave abusive partners.After nearly fifty

years of stagnation in Congress, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was finally passed and sent for state ratification in 1972. The ERA aimed to ensure equal rights under the law regardless of sex. This ratification brought hope to women's rights activists, enabling them to participate in their local Women's Rights Movement. Unlike other issues handled by Congress and courts, each state had the responsibility of deciding on the ERA. In order to support the amendment, women's organizations mobilized members to raise funds and gather public support. Large marches took place in key states, attracting hundreds of thousands of supporters. Everyday women who were new to politics hosted meetings, conducted walk-a-thons, went door-to-door canvassing, and organized events for the cause.Various forms of generous contributions poured into campaign headquarters, resulting in a significant increase in membership for organizations like NOW. The implications and progress of the ERA campaign were extensively reported on by the media through publications such as women's magazines and general interest publications. However, Elizabeth Cady Stanton's prediction about encountering misconception, misrepresentation, and ridicule came true as opponents organized under Phyllis Schlafly feared that ratifying the ERA would lead to excessive government control over personal lives. They argued that men would abandon their families, unisex toilets would become prevalent, same-sex marriages would be allowed, and women would be drafted. In an attempt to provide balanced reporting, the media gave equal attention to these misleading arguments, similar to how they approached discussions on women's voting rights in the past. Just like during the suffrage struggle, there were few females in state legislatures who could vote in favor of equal rights. This once again allowed male legislators

to determine whether women should have equal rights. By 1982, the ERA was only three states away from reaching the required 38 for its inclusion in the U.S. constitution.In the crucial states of those three, 75% of female legislators supported the ERA while only 46% of males voted to ratify it. Although polls consistently showed widespread support for the ERA, many politicians considered it too controversial. Throughout history, issues related to women's rights have always been highly debated when first introduced. For example, allowing women to attend college was met with concerns about its impact on reproductive organs; employing women outside their homes was seen as harmful to families. The questioning of women's involvement in national elections and the perception that participating in sports was unfeminine were once scandalous and unimaginable. However, these issues are now widely accepted across our nation.
The Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 played a significant role in advancing the topics discussed during that time. This landmark discussion surpassed expectations by addressing various contentious subjects such as women's reproductive rights, enrollment in military academies and service in active combat, roles in religious leadership, affirmative action, the mommy track, pornography, sexual harassment, surrogate motherhood, and equal Social Security benefits for homemakers and working spouses. Even among feminists today, these topics continue to elicit differing opinions. The third wave of young women confidently confronts these complex issues while proudly identifying themselves as feminists despite potential backlash.Despite some women's reluctance to identify as feminists, they acknowledge and appreciate the personal freedoms and increased opportunities that women have gained over the past 150 years. Regardless of our individual choices in life, we all strive for a

world where future generations of girls and women can develop their unique abilities, pursue their dreams, and thrive. Reflecting on the progress made since Elizabeth Cady Stanton led the historic Women's Rights Convention with her groundbreaking Declaration of Sentiments, significant advancements have been achieved in women's rights. Women now possess the right to vote and can hold public office at all levels of government. Jeannette Rankin became the first woman elected to Congress in 1916. However, progress has been slow. As of 1971, women still comprised less than three percent of congressional representatives. Presently, women hold only 11% of seats in Congress and 21% in state legislatures. Despite these low figures, women have made considerable contributions to legal reforms that previously restricted their rights and societal roles. They have also entered professions, trades, and businesses traditionally deemed "nontraditional," while gaining positions in clergy, military service, and newsrooms.The Women's Rights Movement and activists continue to fight for gender equality in various settings, including courts, conference rooms, homes, organizations, workplaces, and playing fields throughout America. The present rights of women are the result of efforts from seven generations of previous female activists. Alice Paul compared the movement to a mosaic, where individual efforts come together to create a larger picture. In 1998, Bonnie Eisenberg and Mary Ruthsdotter stated that women have peacefully fought for their rights despite starting from a position of powerlessness. According to the National Women's History Project, women deserve credit for defying expectations and contributing small stones towards forming a stunning final piece. It is important for us to take pride in this courageous legacy and enthusiastically celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Women's

Rights Movement.