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Women’s History Month  Timeline

1789 U.S. Constitution is ratified. 1976 The Supreme Court upholds 1993 becomes the first The terms “persons,” “people” 1933 women’s right to unemploy- woman U.S. attorney general and “electors” allow for the ment benefits during last three interpretation of those beings months of pregnancy 1994 Congress adopts the Gender to include men and women Equity in Education Act to 1977 Juanita Kreps is the first train teachers in gender equity 1839 Mississippi becomes the first female secretary of commerce state to grant women the right 1997 Madeleine K. Albright 1978 Kirchberg v. Feenstra overturns to hold property in their own becomes the first woman U.S. state laws designating a hus- names secretary of state band “head and master” 1840 Catherine Brewer becomes the 1997 PricewaterhouseCoopers’ 1979 More than half of all women first woman to receive a bach- Marsha Cohen is the first 16 years and older are in paid elor’s degree woman CFO at the top employment accounting firms 1848 First Women’s Rights 1998 The Supreme Court rules that Convention is held in Seneca is appointed Falls, N.Y., to sign in the employers are liable for sexual secretary of labor by President harassment Declaration of Sentiments Franklin D. Roosevelt, making her the first woman member of a presidential Cabinet 1999

1934 Coca-Cola’s Lettie Pate 1981 Whitehead is the first American woman to serve as Sandra Day O’Connor director of a major corporation becomes first woman appointed to the 1938 The Fair Labor Standards Act Supreme Court establishes without regard to gender 1982 This is the first year more 1955 The first lesbian organiza- women than men graduated tion in the United States, the with bachelor’s degrees 1849 Daughters of Bilitis, is founded 1984 Sex discrimination in member- 1963 The Equal Pay Act is passed by ship policies is forbidden by Congress the Supreme Court Lt. Col. 1964 Title VII of the Civil Rights 1984 becomes the becomes the first woman astronaut to Act prohibits employment first female vice-presidential command a space-shuttle mission becomes the first woman to receive a discrimination on the basis of candidate representing a major medical degree American political party race, color, religion, national 1999 The first woman, Nancy Ruth origin or sex 1987 Congress proclaims March Mace, graduates at the Citadel as National Women’s History 1869 The first women’s suffrage law 1965 Restrictive labor laws are 2005 Condoleezza Rice becomes the Month is passed in Wyoming repealed on the hours and first Black female secretary of conditions of women’s work, 1872 Susan B. Anthony is arrested 1990 Dr. becomes state opening many previously men- the first woman (and first for trying to vote 2007 becomes the first only jobs to women Latino) U.S. surgeon general 1872 Victoria Claflin Woodhull woman speaker of the House 1966 The National Organization for is the first woman to run as a Women (NOW) is founded by 2008 is the only first presidential candidate 1992 lady to run for president 1890 Wyoming becomes the first 1967 is the first state to grant women the right woman to own a seat on the to vote in all elections Stock Exchange 1913 5,000 suffragists march in 1972 Title IX bans sex discrimina- , D.C. tion in schools Carol 1916 of Moseley 1972 Katherine Graham of The becomes the first woman Washington Post becomes first Braun elected to Congress of Illinois woman CEO of a Fortune 500 becomes the 2009 1920 The 19th Amendment gives company first Black women the right to vote woman elected 1974 Congress prohibits housing to the Senate 1932 becomes the discrimination against women first woman to fly solo across the 1993 The Family and Medical Leave Sonia Act goes into effect Sotomayor becomes the first Source: Catalyst, National Women’s History Project Latino appointed to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court for more facts and figures: www.DiversityInc.com/diversity-facts