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The first women's rights convention was held in Seneca Falls, NY. The convention was organized by five white women, notably Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. The goal of this convention was to advocate for women's legal rights, to choose what to do when they are married, their right to be represented in government, and all this for black women also. Primarily, all options for men to be extended were demanded in Elizabeth Stanton's controversial reading of the Declaration of Sentiments. -
Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman to receive her medical degree in America. Elizabeth graduated from Geneva Medical College at the top of her class. Inspired by a friend's medical experience of neglect from a male doctor.
doctorhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1Dy73bB4fi_NGLdw-hzkUPhzxNBomO8Q9IPc_q1ZVE-I/edit?tab=t.0 -
Wyoming passed the first woman suffrage (Suffrage: the right to vote in political elections) law on December 10, 1869, and women voted for the first time in 1870, this is fundamentally imortant to womens rights because Wyoming prompted other states to consider giving this right to their states too. After Wyoming passed this law Colorado followed in 1872, and Utah and Idaho followed in 1896. Suffragists from all over went to other states to advocate for further expanded rights.
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The 19th Amendment (simplified) states that the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. This new wording was an amendment (19th), but the original wording remains the same in the Constitution, saying States have control over voting. The whole reason why the 19th Amendment was created to take the power away from the states controlling polls, allowing women to finally vote. -
The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was first established as an auxiliary unit with no military status in 1942. It was then recognized as an official military ally in 1943, which further granted members full military status and the same rights as male soldiers within their roles. Women now make up 17.7% of U.S. active-duty military personnel, totaling over 225,000 service members. The Army has around 16% women, and the Marine Corps has about 10%.
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The Equal Pay Act was passed in 1963, allowing all employees in the same workplace to receive the same pay for performing substantially equal work. This act was signed by President John F. Kennedy, aiming to eliminate sex-based wage discrimination, requiring employers to raise wages to equalize pay, not lower them.
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Shirley Chisholm was the first woman of color to be elected to the House of Representatives. After this major accomplishment, Chisholm later launched her presidential campaign on January 25, 1972, making her the first major-party Black candidate for President. Her campaign inspired many and paved the way for future candidates. She remained positive despite facing large amounts of discrimination.