Sixties / Seventies
Women's liberation movement, women in the civil rights movements, and other involvements of women in the 1960s-70s in the US and the world.
Betty Friedan
Betty Friedan profile: a summary of the life and work of a key second wave American feminist.
Betty Friedan profile: a summary of the life and work of a key second wave American feminist.
Myths of Women's History: Bra Burning Feminists of the Sixties
Feminists in the 1960s burned their bras - we all know that - even if it Just Ain't So.
Feminists in the 1960s burned their bras - we all know that - even if it Just Ain't So.
Myths of Women's History: Jane Fonda in North Vietnam
What is the truth behind the ubiquitous emails with charges about Jane Fonda's activities in North Vietnam?
What is the truth behind the ubiquitous emails with charges about Jane Fonda's activities in North Vietnam?
Myths of Women's History: Hillary Clinton and the Black Panthers
Did Hillary Clinton defend Black Panthers in 1969?
Did Hillary Clinton defend Black Panthers in 1969?
Nina Simone
Nina Simone was a classically trained pianist whose singing mixed genres of classical music, jazz, blues and soul -- and her music and outspoken ideas on American racism reflected and became part of civil rights and black power history. Several of her songs, including her cover of Sinatra's "My Way," became feminist classics as well.
Nina Simone was a classically trained pianist whose singing mixed genres of classical music, jazz, blues and soul -- and her music and outspoken ideas on American racism reflected and became part of civil rights and black power history. Several of her songs, including her cover of Sinatra's "My Way," became feminist classics as well.
President's Commission on the Status of Women
A history of the President's Commission on the Status of Women, 1961-1963, and its lasting effects.
A history of the President's Commission on the Status of Women, 1961-1963, and its lasting effects.
Sisters of 77
Preview of a video about the 1977 NOW conference at the peak of the women's movement.
Preview of a video about the 1977 NOW conference at the peak of the women's movement.
After the Death of God the Father
Mary Daly in her critique of Christianity and patriarchy, published in Commonweal in 1971.
Mary Daly in her critique of Christianity and patriarchy, published in Commonweal in 1971.
Bibliography of Second Wave Feminism
An extensive list of books and articles on the rise of feminism beginning about 1945 and continuing through the 60s and 70s.
An extensive list of books and articles on the rise of feminism beginning about 1945 and continuing through the 60s and 70s.
The BITCH Manifesto
A 1968 paper by Jo Freeman, signed as Joreen, defining "bitch" as the term is used to discredit women and redefining the term as positive.
A 1968 paper by Jo Freeman, signed as Joreen, defining "bitch" as the term is used to discredit women and redefining the term as positive.
Nancy Chodorow
Biographical sketch and summary of the work of psychoanalytic feminist and sociologist Nancy Chodorow, a participant and documenter of 1960s and 1970s feminism and early participant in developing women's studies methodology.. Includes bibliography.
Biographical sketch and summary of the work of psychoanalytic feminist and sociologist Nancy Chodorow, a participant and documenter of 1960s and 1970s feminism and early participant in developing women's studies methodology.. Includes bibliography.
CWLU Rock Band
From 1970-1973, this feminist rock band rocked audiences as it slammed male "pig bands" with music and comedy.
From 1970-1973, this feminist rock band rocked audiences as it slammed male "pig bands" with music and comedy.
Commune Story
Key members of the Chicago Women's Liberation Union tell their story of friendship and liberation.
Key members of the Chicago Women's Liberation Union tell their story of friendship and liberation.
Comparable Worth
In the 1970s and 1980s in the U.S., the idea of "equal pay for equal work" was supplemented by the idea of comparable worth: "equal pay for work of equal value." Jo Freeman analyzes the movement toward pay equity for working women in this article, originally published in 1984.
In the 1970s and 1980s in the U.S., the idea of "equal pay for equal work" was supplemented by the idea of comparable worth: "equal pay for work of equal value." Jo Freeman analyzes the movement toward pay equity for working women in this article, originally published in 1984.
Does it matter how the Equal Rights Amendment is worded?
A 1996 commentary on the history of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the wording used in it, from the 1920s to the 1970s.
A 1996 commentary on the history of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the wording used in it, from the 1920s to the 1970s.
Feminist Chronicles 1953-1993
Events in feminist history, including public events and issues in the public eye each year. Also includes events and issues in the opposition to feminism (the backlash).
Events in feminist history, including public events and issues in the public eye each year. Also includes events and issues in the opposition to feminism (the backlash).
Fight on Sisters: and Other Songs for Liberation
By Carol Hanisch: 29-page book, with score and lyrics, from 1978. Insight into the culture of the women's liberation movement.
By Carol Hanisch: 29-page book, with score and lyrics, from 1978. Insight into the culture of the women's liberation movement.
Friedan, Betty: Featured Author
Reviews of Friedan's books, articles by Friedan, and articles about Friedan, from the Archives of the New York Times.
Reviews of Friedan's books, articles by Friedan, and articles about Friedan, from the Archives of the New York Times.
From Suffrage to Women's Liberation
"Feminism in 20th Century America." Article written by feminist historian Jo Freeman, published in 1995. Freeman traces the 60s "second wave" to its roots in the early 20th century suffrage movement, with a section on the history of the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment).
"Feminism in 20th Century America." Article written by feminist historian Jo Freeman, published in 1995. Freeman traces the 60s "second wave" to its roots in the early 20th century suffrage movement, with a section on the history of the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment).
Gender Gaps in Presidential Elections
Jo Freeman on the gender gaps of 1928, 1952 and 1960, refuting the idea that 1980 saw the first gender gap in presidential elections.
Jo Freeman on the gender gaps of 1928, 1952 and 1960, refuting the idea that 1980 saw the first gender gap in presidential elections.
Germaine Greer: Featured Author
Reviews of Greer's books and articles about and by Greer, from the Archives of the New York Times.
Reviews of Greer's books and articles about and by Greer, from the Archives of the New York Times.
How Sex Got Into Title VII
1999 article by Jo Freeman, Ph.D., J.D., on how the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was amended to include women. Was it, as the story is often told, "a deliberate ploy of foes of the bill to scuttle it"?
1999 article by Jo Freeman, Ph.D., J.D., on how the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was amended to include women. Was it, as the story is often told, "a deliberate ploy of foes of the bill to scuttle it"?
Legal issues of married women who keep their own names
Alice Marie Beard in a 1974 article on the legality of women keeping their name after marriage.
Alice Marie Beard in a 1974 article on the legality of women keeping their name after marriage.
Liberation School
Teaching everything from auto repair to childbirth preparation to feminist theory, this 1970s institution is a feminist classic.
Teaching everything from auto repair to childbirth preparation to feminist theory, this 1970s institution is a feminist classic.
Mrs. Smith Runs for President
In 1964, Margaret Chase Smith, Senator from Maine, became the first woman to run for a major party's nomination for U.S. President.
In 1964, Margaret Chase Smith, Senator from Maine, became the first woman to run for a major party's nomination for U.S. President.
Notes from the First Year
Key writings from 1968, representing the beginnings of the radical women's liberation movement.
Key writings from 1968, representing the beginnings of the radical women's liberation movement.
Passion for the Possible
From Toni Carabillo's The Feminist Chronicles: a history of the modern feminist movement, tracing the roots from a few events in the 1950s and the early 1960s; later chapters carry the story into the 90s.
From Toni Carabillo's The Feminist Chronicles: a history of the modern feminist movement, tracing the roots from a few events in the 1950s and the early 1960s; later chapters carry the story into the 90s.
Political Organization in the Feminist Movement
Jo Freeman in 1974 analyzes the way that the women's liberation movement is organized as a social movement. She includes the formal organization NOW (National Organization for Women) in her analysis as well as the less formal small groups.
Jo Freeman in 1974 analyzes the way that the women's liberation movement is organized as a social movement. She includes the formal organization NOW (National Organization for Women) in her analysis as well as the less formal small groups.
Psychology Constructs the Female
Classic 1968 document, by Naomi Weisstein, on sexist theory of sex-roles. Helped shape modern feminist theory.
Classic 1968 document, by Naomi Weisstein, on sexist theory of sex-roles. Helped shape modern feminist theory.
Revolution for Women in Law and Public Policy
Jo Freeman's analysis and history of the revolution in public policy towards women, including the equal pay act in 1962 and anti-discrimination legislation in 1964. The article gives the background in common law and earlier government policy, too.
Jo Freeman's analysis and history of the revolution in public policy towards women, including the equal pay act in 1962 and anti-discrimination legislation in 1964. The article gives the background in common law and earlier government policy, too.
The Revolution is Happening in Our Minds
Jo Freeman's 1969 article on the new women's movement and its impact, especially on campuses.
Jo Freeman's 1969 article on the new women's movement and its impact, especially on campuses.
Social Revolution and the Equal Rights Amendment
From the perspective of 1988, Jo Freeman describes the history of activism for the ERA until 1982, when the deadline for ratification expired.
From the perspective of 1988, Jo Freeman describes the history of activism for the ERA until 1982, when the deadline for ratification expired.
Socialist Feminist Document
This 1970s paper from a Chicago feminist group gives one perspective on the theorizing in feminist culture at that time.
This 1970s paper from a Chicago feminist group gives one perspective on the theorizing in feminist culture at that time.
Gloria Steinem
Biography of one of the most well-known feminists of the 1960s and 1970s, publisher of Ms. Magazine.
Biography of one of the most well-known feminists of the 1960s and 1970s, publisher of Ms. Magazine.
Take Back the Night
Take Back the Night marches and their history have been the subject of discussion on a women's studies email list several times. Here is a collection of the postings, to help sort out the history and find resources.
Take Back the Night marches and their history have been the subject of discussion on a women's studies email list several times. Here is a collection of the postings, to help sort out the history and find resources.
Trashing: The Dark Side of Sisterhood
Originally published in 1976 in Ms. magazine, Jo Freeman (writing as Joreen) in this article criticizes what she sees as a weakness within the feminist Movement.
Originally published in 1976 in Ms. magazine, Jo Freeman (writing as Joreen) in this article criticizes what she sees as a weakness within the feminist Movement.
The Tyranny of Structurelessness
Jo Freeman, writing originally as Joreen, on the down side of leaderless organizations, common in the 1960s feminist movement.
Jo Freeman, writing originally as Joreen, on the down side of leaderless organizations, common in the 1960s feminist movement.
Waves of Feminism
In 1996, Jo Freeman attempts to clarify whether the 1960s women's liberation movement can accurately be called the "second wave." How many waves of female activism have their been?
In 1996, Jo Freeman attempts to clarify whether the 1960s women's liberation movement can accurately be called the "second wave." How many waves of female activism have their been?
Whatever Happened to Women's Rights?
A 1964 Atlantic Monthly article (by a male author) about changes in women's lives and status, 1920-1964.
A 1964 Atlantic Monthly article (by a male author) about changes in women's lives and status, 1920-1964.
Who You Know vs. Who You Represent
Background and analysis of the differences in feminist influence in the Republican and Democratic parties.
Background and analysis of the differences in feminist influence in the Republican and Democratic parties.
Womankind
Newspaper of the Chicago Women's Liberation Union in the 1970s: a description of its purpose.
Newspaper of the Chicago Women's Liberation Union in the 1970s: a description of its purpose.
Women and Urban Policy
About the impact of urban policy -- especially in the 1960s and 1970s -- on women. An article by Jo Freeman.
About the impact of urban policy -- especially in the 1960s and 1970s -- on women. An article by Jo Freeman.
'Women's Liberation' Aims to Free Men Too
Article by Gloria Steinem, published June 1970 in the Washington Post. An early assertion of the value of feminism for men, too.
Article by Gloria Steinem, published June 1970 in the Washington Post. An early assertion of the value of feminism for men, too.
The Women's Liberation Front
Article on the position and possibilities for women in 1968, from a 1968 Moderator article by feminist historian Jo Freeman.
Article on the position and possibilities for women in 1968, from a 1968 Moderator article by feminist historian Jo Freeman.
Women's Liberation Movement: Its Origins, Structures, Ideas
Article written in 1970 by Jo Freeman on the history of feminism in the 1960s.
Article written in 1970 by Jo Freeman on the history of feminism in the 1960s.
Women's Liberation Movement: Origin
Jo Freeman's 1971 history of the women's liberation movement, including its structures and ideals, written from the perspective of a serious scholar and insider.
Jo Freeman's 1971 history of the women's liberation movement, including its structures and ideals, written from the perspective of a serious scholar and insider.
The Women's Movement
Part of a larger "outline of American history," this essay is a basic introduction to the women's movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
Part of a larger "outline of American history," this essay is a basic introduction to the women's movement of the 1960s and 1970s.