What She Said

Part III, Case 5: Women's Rights

Women's rights have formed the foundation for women's activism in both the 19th and 20th centuries, though the phrase "women's rights" has referred to a shifting range of issues. Over the decades, it has included some rights that are discussed in other cases in this exhibit, including the right to bodily autonomy, vote, hold public office, enter into legal contracts, work, receive equal pay, make health decisions, own property, and be educated, among others.

In 1921, shortly after adoption of the 19th Amendment, suffrage activists Alice Paul and Crystal Eastman authored a new constitutional amendment to end legal distinctions between men and women in divorce, property, employment, and other areas. Finally ratified by the House and Senate in 1972, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was sent to state legislatures for ratification with a deadline of March 22, 1979. Ratified by fewer states than required by the deadline, the amendment has still not been formally adopted.

Women in Los Angeles and across the US have worked to defend women's civil and legal rights. In the 1970s in particular women's organizations energetically advocated for ratification of the ERA as they believed it would help with their ongoing work to end sex discrimination, protect affirmative action measures, and more. Even after the ERA's 1979 deadline passed women continued to advocate for policies that might protect them in public and private spaces, as when City Councilwoman Joy Picus worked with the Board of Police Commissioners to achieve gender balance in the Los Angeles Police Department. They also fought against those whose policies they felt harmed women, including President Ronald Reagan.

Case 6, Education, is the flat case to the south.

• 1

  "An Explanation of the Program of the Legal Status of Women Committee Adopted by the 1925 Convention of the National League of Women Voters"League of Women Voters of Los Angeles Collection

• 2

  Handout, "Equal Rights or Human Rights?" March 1939League of Women Voters of Los Angeles Collection

• 3

  Gladys Harrison, "Against 'Equal Rights' by Constitutional Amendment: A Reply," 1928League of Women Voters of Los Angeles Collection

• 4

  Explanation of Federal and General Items on the 1940-42 Program, September 1940League of Women Voters of Los Angeles Collection

• 5

  "Equal Rights Amendment: Questions and Answers," published by the Institute for Studies in EqualityLeague of Women Voters of Los Angeles Collection

• 6

  Brochure, "Women in the 70s: Black Women and the Equal Rights Amendment," by Frankie M. Freeman, 1973League of Women Voters of Los Angeles Collection

• 7

  "The ERA: What it Means to Women," published by the National League of Women VotersLeague of Women Voters of Los Angeles Collection

• 8

  "Resolution of Equal Rights of Women," published by the Board of Church and Society, 1972Zero Population Growth of Los Angeles, Inc. Collection

• 9

  Membership flyer, "Women's Rights: The Reagan Record," published by the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Organization for WomenZero Population Growth of Los Angeles, Inc. Collection

• 10

  Flyer, "We Demand a Full Voice for Women"Zero Population Growth of Los Angeles, Inc. Collection

• 11

  "Laws on Sex Discrimination in Employment," published by the Women's Bureau, Wage and Labor Standards Administration, U. S. Department of Labor, 1967Los Angeles Newspaper Guild Collection

• 12

  Letter from the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners to Joy PicusJoy Picus Collection

• 13

  Press release, "Beilenson Sponsors Equal Rights Amendment," July 14, 1982Zero Population Growth of Los Angeles, Inc. Collection

• 14

  National Women's Political Caucus and Women Rising GatheringSusan B. Nelson Collection

• 15

  Flyer, "The Equal Rights Amendment," published by the National Organization for WomenZero Population Growth of Los Angeles, Inc. Collection

• 16

  "Equality for Homemakers: Rate Your State," in Equal Rights Monitor, May 1, 1976Dorothy Boberg Collection