The struggle for women’s rights spans centuries, shaped by gender norms and disparities, impactful laws and shifts in public opinion. While many of us around the world celebrate the incredible progress made over the years, women’s rights in the United States are still far from equitable. With the 2020 election and the beginning of a new presidential term, the past, present, and future of women’s rights must be considered, celebrated, and continually fought for.
The History of Women’s Rights in America
The American Republic was officially founded in 1776, with an official document that gave little attention to women’s rights. Early documents like The Declaration of Independence, and The Constitution each included many statements and regulations that largely excluded women as citizens in the eyes of the law. In fact, women weren’t given the right to vote until The Nineteenth Amendment was ratified in 1920. This was after a long history of vehement opposition to women’s suffrage, inspiring prolonged periods of activism and legislation around the United States to advocate for the rights of all women.
The First Women’s Rights Movement and Its Aftermath
The first organized women’s rights movement in America started in the early 19th century with The Seneca Falls Convention, held in 1848. The convention had more than 200 attendees and is considered the first organized women’s rights movement in the country. During the convention, participants produced what became known as the Declaration of Sentiments, a document that called for women’s legal and social equality. While the Declaration sparked a number of organized efforts to strive for greater moral support and legal rights for women, the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment in 1870 marked the first legal acknowledgement of the existence of women’s rights. However, despite this progressive step, the sentiment of the amendment still largely excluded individuals of color, even those who were legally considered citizens of the United States.
The Second and Third waves of Feminism
In the mid-20th century, the Second Wave of Feminism built off the original women’s rights movement. Led by civil rights activists like Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem, the Second Wave focused heavily on gender stereotypes, workplace equality, and reproductive rights. This wave concluded in the early 1990s with a broader scope than the first, yet still lacking in terms of racial equality.
The Third Wave of Feminism began in the early 1990s and is best known for the larger focus on intersectionality, recognizing that the various intersecting identities of a person define how they experience oppression and privilege. Of particular considerations were the disparities between white women and women of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities.
Women’s Rights in the Era of the New American Republic
Now, as America enters a new era with the 2020 presidential election, the current president has declared several changes that are central to progress in the realm of women’s rights. Here we will explore some of the key legislative changes this new presidential term has promised in order to support the progress that women in the United States have tirelessly fought for:
Equal Pay:
The current president pledges to work with legislators to guarantee equal pay for equal work for all women. This promises to guarantee basic protections for women and close the pay gap that has persisted in the past, especially among women of color.
Affordable Childcare:
The administration also promises to invest heavily in affordable childcare and development centers so that women can more easily enter the workforce without impeding upon their ability to take care of their families. This is another crucial step in reducing the persistent economic discrimination so many women face.
Expanded Legal Protections:
On top of economic reform, the new administration pledges to expanding legal protection for all women, especially in regards to workplace discrimination and domestic violence. It has also promised to make it easier for survivors of domestic abuse to get legal remedies, as well as support for victims of sex trafficking.
Growing Attention to Reproductive Rights:
The current president has pledged to protect and expand on Planned Parenthood, something that is crucial to respecting a woman’s right to choose and reaffirming the safety of abortion. This is in stark contrast to the recent restrictions on abortion put on by the previous administration, which will help reduce the dangerous health risks women face from unsafe abortion practices and keep medication and other contraceptives more easily available.
Future Progress and Advocating for Change
With the implementation of these policies and other measures that are sure to come, we can begin to look toward a brighter future for women’s rights in America. In addition to these legislative changes, there are numerous things each one of us can do to advocate for change and help make women’s rights more equitable in our own localities and communities:
• Educate yourself. Take advantage of the immense resources available online to learn more about women’s rights in the United States and around the world.
• Speak out. Let your friends, family, and lawmakers know where you stand when it comes to the issue of gender inequality and why it’s important to you and your community.
• Amplify women’s stories. Follow and support women’s rights organizations, women-led groups, and female creators.
• Participate in campaigns. Whether it’s joining a protest or writing to your local representatives, your voices have power.
• Donate time and money. Financially support organizations and individuals that are advocating for women’s rights, or volunteer your time and effort in any way you can.
Women’s rights have constantly been shaped and reshaped throughout American history, and it is only together—through the combined efforts of government, individuals, and organizations—that progress can be made. While there is much left to be done, the current administration has promised a great deal of progress and reform throughout the new American Republic. At the same time, each one of us has a responsibility to advocate for gender justice and use our own abilities to make sure that the promises made by our government become a reality.
