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		Celebrating Women’s History Month… Did you know? Interesting facts about women and issues impacting women This is just a little piece of women in history. There are so many women who comprise our history through amazing accomplishments in their chosen field. Others have invested in taking a leadership role to promote the rights of women. This summary highlights a tiny piece of Women’s History. Please take this as an invitation to learn more about the women listed here and the many that are not listed here. This information can be used for bulletin boards, icebreakers, or teambuilders. Build a timeline or explore a few points in depth to decorate your office, residence hall, or area for Women’s History Month and every month. Hattie W. Caraway was the first woman elected to the US Senate. She was also the first woman to preside over the Senate on Oct 19, 1943. (Kronish, Feb 18, 2001) 1920 The 19th Amendment gives women the right to vote 1870 Ada Kepley-first woman law school graduate. 1916 Jeanette Rankin elected to the House Sacagawea helped Lewis and Clark to find food, and survive their journey Emma Hart Willard started Troy (New York) Female Seminary in 1821 after seeking funding to open the first school of higher education for women. Mary Lyon founded Mt. Holyoke Female Seminary in 1837. Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, founded in 1837, was the "first endowed school for women in the United States" (Hazen, p. 7). Elizabeth Blackwell graduated first in her class from the Geneva College Medical School in 1849. In 1857 she founded the New York Infirmary for Women and Children and later organized field nurses during the Civil war. (Lee, 1993, p. 43) Antoinette Brown was unable to gain a ministerial license and was prevented to present at the 1853 "World’s Temperance Convention" because of "unwomanly conduct". "She became pastor of the Congregational Church at South Butler, New York" in 1852 (Lee, 1993, p. 43). Sarah and Angelina Grimke’ wrote and gave lectures against slavery. They were among a few women who spoke publicly on issues of oppression. Angela was the first woman to speak before a state legislature. Anne Royall-first female publisher- in 1831 published Paul Pry and later the Huntress. Sarah Josepha Hale-in 1828, editor of Ladies’ Magazine and 1837 editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book. Dorothea Dix started programs for the insane in 1841 and was appointed by Abraham Lincoln to serve as Superintendent of United States Army Nurses during the Civil War (Lee, 1993, p. 46) Oberlan College in Ohio, in 1834, first American college to admit women and to issue degrees to women. 1834-The first all women strike takes place in Lowell, Mass in the textile mills. Lucy Stone, graduate of Oberlan College, was first to use her maiden name even after marriage, and was the first woman to "lecture on Women’s rights" (Hazen, p. 7). The Seneca Falls Convention was a two-day conference held on July 19 and 20th, 1848. It was set up to "discuss the social, civil, and religious rights of women"(Hazen, p. 9). It was the idea of Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Margaret Fuller, Amelia Bloomer and other women wrote the Declaration of Sentiments. It was a resolution listing the grievances they had against the "tyranny of man" (Hazen, p. 9, Lee, p. 55). Fredrick Douglas was one of 32 men attending the Seneca Falls convention. He made a speech that helped the resolution proposed by Elizabeth Cady Stanton to pass. His main point was that women of all races needed to make strides and obtain rights together. Elizabeth Blackwell graduates from medical school in 1849. The First National Women’s Rights Convention occurred in 1850 in Worchester, Massachusetts. Sojourner Truth was a former slave, gave a speech at the Akron convention in 1851 that caught the attention of everyone present and gave the Women’s Movement direction and the courage to be proud. 1870, Ada Kepley, first woman to graduate law school. Susan B. Anthony joined forces with Elizabeth Cady Stanton to promote the equal treatment of women in education, employment, and the ability to own property. In 1872 she was arrested for trying to vote. With Elizabeth Cady Stanton, she formed the National Woman Suffrage Association in 1869. American Woman Suffrage Association was formed in 1869 by Lucy Stone and Henry Blackwell. 1878 "Susan B. Anthony Amendment" was introduced in Congress. It read: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by and State on the account of sex." It was defeated for 40 years. Mrs. Esther Morris played a huge role in getting woman suffrage passed in the Wyoming Territorial Council in Dec. 1869. Wyoming women were the first to win the right to vote. 1870 women gain right to vote in Utah. 1893 women gain right to vote in Colorado. 1896 women gain right to vote in Idaho. 1903 in England the Women’s Social and Political Union is formed by Emmeline, Christabel, and Sylvia Pankhurst. They used parades, demonstrations, and hounding politicians to win the right for Women to vote in England. Women earned the right to vote in England in 1928. The techniques were used in the US as the movement continued. New Zealand-first country to grant women voting rights. March 13, 1913, the Women’s Party, led by Alice Paul, held a demonstration and parade that 8,000 women participated in to promote the amendment allowing voting by women. They picketed the White House front gates every day for months. January 1917 first pickets for women’s rights to vote were at the White House and in June, the first arrests of the women picketers took place. Carrie Chappman Catt, President of the National American Woman Suffrage Association targeted the passage of the Susan B. Anthony Amendment at the state level and did not use picketing. Jan 1918, the 19th Amendment passes the House of Representatives. In 1919, it passes the Senate, and in 1920 it becomes part of the Constitution. 1924, Nellie Ross, elected Governor of Wyoming Many states got around the law and made it difficult and impossible for African American Women (and men) to vote. It is "not until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were these barriers swept away so African Americans everywhere could truly join in the elective process" (Hazen, p. 23). 1920, the National American Suffrage Association becomes the League of Women Voters. Its purpose was to encourage women to understand and participate in the political and voting processes. Representative Daniel Anthony, nephew of Susan B. Anthony introduced the amendment for equal rights in Congress in 1923. In 1933, Edith Wilson is accused of running the country after President Woodrow Wilson suffers a stroke. Eleanor Roosevelt, models independence, confidence, intelligence, and strength as a first lady. In 1972, the Equal Rights Amendment passed Congress, but only 32 states of the 38 needed approved the amendment before the 1982 deadline. Therefore, it has never been ratified and is not part of the Constitution. (Hazen, 1998) 1941 The US enters World War II. Women are working in jobs only available to men before. Many joined volunteer services and military services too. The women kept the country running, yet after the war they were fired. Frances Perkins, appointed Secretary of Labor in 1933-first women appointed to a cabinet post. 1963 Betty Friedan published her book The Feminine Mystique-which used statistics and interviews with women to paint a picture that women were not making as much as men, and few women were in leaderhip positions of many professions. It made people think. 1963 The Equal Pay Act-similar pay for similar work guaranteed for women. 1964 The Civil Rights Act-guaranteed no job discrimination based on sex. 1966 National Organization of Women (NOW) was founded by Betty Friedan and 27 other women. 1968 Women’s Equity Action League formed. It was formed for University and college faculty to gain access to similar positions and pay of male peers. 1971 National Women’s Political Caucus formed. Its purpose was to promote women and issues impacting women in government. Some of its founders include Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, Bella Abzug, and Shirley Chisolm. 1972, Shirley Chisolm, second female VP candidate. 1981, Sandra Day O’Connor, first woman appointed to U.S. Supreme Court. 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsburg appointed. 1984, Geraldine Ferraro, first woman selected by a major party for the national ticket. 1992, Janet Reno, first woman Attorney General. 1996, Madeline Albright, first woman Secretary of State. History continues with the newly appointed cabinet! References: Hazen, W. A. (1998). Women’s Suffrage: 1820-1990s. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Instructional Fair. Forbes, M. (1990). Women Who Made a Difference. New York: Fireside. Kronish, S. (Feb. 18, 2001). "First elected female senator hailed by USPS". The Journal News, Westchester County, New York. Lee, G. (1993). American Women: Their Changing Roles 1619-1993. USA: Mark Twain Media/Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company, Inc. Niendorf, K. (March 1994). Women in History. ACUHO-I Talking Stick.