More than 50 years ago, many women were anchored in household chores, unable to
perform other activities due to the same fact that they have always been seen as the weakest
gender, as well as inferior in all areas of society. Fortunately, over the years, this ideology
has been changing little by little.
United States was a pioneer in many ways the laws in favor of women. From some liberties of
American women, the rest of the world began to give way to the female gender.
Some rights that were denied to women in the past are the following
The vote
Women started to vote in 1920 in the United States, after president Wilson, personally had
announced his support for women's suffrage.
Wear pants
In the past, pants used to be just masculine garment, but in the twentieth century that
changed. The use of pants for men was be considered just as appropriate as for women. But
the changes were gradual. Many women like Katharine Hepburn had worn pants before Pat
Nixon was the first First Lady of the United States to wear pants in public in 1972.
Work while pregnant
During the 20th century, pregnant women at work were seen as a hindrance. Therefore, if
they were waiting for a baby they had a lot of chances of being fired. In the United States that
changed in 78 when a Discrimination Law had approved.
Divorce
It was many years before women had the chance to divorce; That right was only reserved for
men. In the United States in 1969 it was allowed for first time in the state of California. In
addition, rape in a married couple also took a long time to be recognized as such.
Family planning
Although contraceptive methods have long existed and used, their legal situation has varied.
Contraception was legal for a while, but in 1873 Congress illegalized it. In the 1960s, 30
states still prohibited the sale and even advertising of contraceptive methods. However, the
efforts of activists like Margaret Sanger ended up guaranteeing the right of women to family
planning.
Military service
Although the two world wars represented a breakthrough in this regard, women mostly
participated in non-combat roles. The simple thought of seeing a woman as a military was
ridiculous in the 50’s. The United States Military Academy located in West Point opened the
doors to women in 1976.
