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Declaration of the Rights of Man by National Assembly of France
Even though this declaration focuses on the rights for men, it led the path for women's rights later on. This decoration made women demand for inclusion in these rights. It highlights the rights for individuals in society and it sparked discussion. This was the foundation for the later document, Declaration of the Rights of Women. -
Declaration of the Rights of Woman by Olympe de Gouges
Olympe de Gouges wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Woman due to the exclusion of women from the Declaration of the Rights of Man. This was one of the earliest feminist movements, it was for gender equality in legal rights, marriage, and political representation, helping a lot with modern day feminism. -
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a key figure in the early women’s suffrage movement and the drafting of the “Declaration of Sentiments.” Her advocacy for women’s rights, especially the right to vote, shaped the course of the feminist movement in the United States. -
Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention in New York was the first women’s rights convention in the U.S., where figures like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott drafted the “Declaration of Sentiments,” calling for equal rights for women, including the right to vote. It marked the official start of the organized women’s rights movement in America. -
Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth was an African American abolitionist and women’s rights activist, famous for her “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech. She advocated for both the abolition of slavery and women’s rights, becoming a pioneering figure in the intersectional approach to civil rights. -
"Ain't I a Woman?" by Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth’s famous speech “Ain’t I a Woman?” said at the Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio, highlighted the intersection of race and gender in the fight for equality. Her speech was for equal rights for both Black women and white women, it was to help with the notion that Black women were too oppressed to fight for their rights. Truth became a figure in both the abolitionist and women's rights movements. -
Susan B. Anthony
Susan B. Anthony was one of the most prominent leaders in the women’s suffrage movement. Along with Stanton, she co-founded the National Woman Suffrage Association and was instrumental in the fight for women’s right to vote, leading campaigns and organizing petitions across the country. -
Testimony Before the Senate by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony gave testimony before the U.S. Senate advocating for women’s suffrage. Their testimony was a pivotal moment in the suffrage movement, with Stanton and Anthony urging lawmakers to grant women the right to vote. Their efforts led to the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, securing women’s right to vote. -
“Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin
In this short story, Kate Chopin explores the theme of female independence and self-identity through the experience of Louise Mallard, a woman who feels happy about her husband’s death. Chopin’s portrayal of a woman’s emotional reaction to the constraints of marriage was revolutionary at the time and contributed to discussions on women’s autonomy and personal freedom. -
“A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell
Susan Glaspell’s short story "A Jury of Her Peers" explores the experiences of women in a male-dominated society. The story examines gender roles, women's limited agency, and the way women’s experiences are often overlooked by men. It became a key work in illustrating the need for women to be treated as equals, including the justice system. -
The Passage of the 19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted women the right to vote. This monumental achievement was the result of decades of tireless activism by suffragists such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Alice Paul. It was a key victory in the fight for women’s political rights. -
Betty Friedan
Betty Friedan’s book The Feminine Mystique (1963) sparked the second-wave feminist movement by challenging the traditional roles of women in post-WWII America. She later co-founded the National Organization for Women (NOW), advocating for equal rights in the workplace, reproductive rights, and gender equality. -
The Equal Pay Act
The Equal Pay Act was signed into law by President John F. Kennedy, making it illegal for employers to pay women less than men for the same work. This was a major legislative step toward addressing gender wage disparity and promoting equal opportunities in the workplace. -
The Formation of the National Organization for Women (NOW)
NOW, founded by Betty Friedan and others, became one of the leading advocacy groups for women’s rights in the 1960s and 1970s. The organization focused on issues like workplace discrimination, reproductive rights, and equal pay, and played a key role in the second-wave feminist movement. -
The True Story of 'Ms. America' by Smithsonian Institution
The "Ms. America" story highlights the 1968 protest at the Miss America pageant, where feminists, led by Betty Friedan and others from the National Organization for Women (NOW), protested the objectification of women and the beauty standard the pageant represented. This event marked a significant moment in the second-wave feminist movement, drawing attention to women’s rights beyond the suffrage movement. -
Gloria Steinem
Gloria Steinem was a leading figure in the feminist movement of the 1970s and a key player in second-wave feminism. She co-founded Ms. Magazine and became a prominent spokesperson for women’s rights, focusing on reproductive rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women. -
The Roe v. Wade Decision
he U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion nationwide, marking a pivotal moment in the women’s rights movement. The decision recognized a woman’s constitutional right to privacy and autonomy over her reproductive choices, influencing debates around reproductive rights that continue today.