MINORITY RIGHTSThe Influence of the African American Civil Rights

Movement on American Women

Focus Your Thoughts . . .

What is a ‘minority’?

List some minority groups.

In what ways have minorities been disenfranchised throughout the course of history?

Who voted first – Ethnic minorities or women?

Who Did it First?

In 1789, African – American votes counted as three – fifths of a white man’s vote.

African - Americans were given the right to vote by the ____ Amendment in 1870.

In 1789, no women, regardless of their ethnicity or upbringing had the right to vote.

Women were given the right to vote by the ____ Amendment in 1919.

African-Americans Women

Did these Amendments actually give 100% of African – Americans and women the right to vote?

In what ways did we continue to deny them the right to vote under the table?

Legalized Disenfranchisement

Poll Taxes

Literacy Tests

Income/Property Ownership

Intimidation

Voting

Began during the Civil War 13th

Abolished slavery 14th

Established citizenship

15th Right to vote

Inspired by the Civil War

African – American’s Women’s Suffrage

The Right to Vote

After the Civil War ended and African Americans were awarded both citizenship and the right to vote, women were inspired and . . .

The Women’s _____________ Movement began!

Women of the Suffrage Movement

Wrote the Declaration of Sentiments, which was read at the first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848

A second convention was held in 1852 in Syracuse, New York where Susan B. Anthony argued that the “right women needed above any other was the right of suffrage.”

Elizabeth Cady StantonSusan B. Anthony

Minor vs Happersett

The first Supreme Court case to address whether the P&I Clause or the EP Clause gave women the right to vote. Privileges and Immunities/Necessary and Proper Clause

“The Congress shall have power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper to secure to the citizens of each state all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states...”

A.K.A. Congress can make any laws which are necessary to enforce anything which is implied by the Constitution

The Equal Protection Clause “No state shall ... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the

equal protection of the laws.” A.K.A. “All men are created equal”

What was the verdict??

A Unanimous Decision . . .

The Supreme Court rejected both arguments.

ANGRY FACE!

“Voting is not a privilege of citizenship.”

Why do you think this might be??

Arriving at the 19th Amendment

In 1878, a constitutional amendment was proposed that provided "The right of citizens to vote shall not be abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."  This same amendment would be introduced in every session of Congress for the next forty-one years!

In July 1890, the Territory of Wyoming, which allowed women to vote, was admitted as a state.  Wyoming became the first state with women suffrage.  By 1900, Utah, Colorado, and Idaho joined Wyoming in allowing women to vote.

In 1912, Theodore Roosevelt's Progressive (Bull Moose) Party became the first national political party to have a plank supporting women suffrage.  The tide was beginning to turn.

Teddy Roosevelt and the Progressives

In May, 1919, the necessary two-thirds vote in favor of the women suffrage amendment was finally mustered in Congress, and the proposed amendment was sent to the states for ratification. 

By July 1920, with a number of primarily southern states adamantly opposed to the amendment, it all came down to Tennessee.  It appeared that the amendment might fail by one vote in the Tennessee house, but twenty-four-year-old Harry Burns surprised observers by casting the deciding vote for ratification.  At the time of his vote, Burns had in his pocket a letter he had received from his mother urging him, "Don't forget to be a good boy" and "vote for suffrage."  Women had finally won the vote.

The Nineteenth Amendment

Countries Where Women Still Can’t Vote

Bhutan - One vote per house. Although this applies to both men and women, in practice it currently prevents many more women from voting than men. If the new proposed constitution is voted and ratified, then no restrictions will apply by 2008.

Lebanon - Partial suffrage. Proof of elementary education is required for women but not for men. Voting is compulsory for men but optional for women.

Brunei - No suffrage for women. Neither men nor women have had the right to vote or to stand for election since 1962 because the country is governed by an absolute monarchy. (see note)

Saudi Arabia - No suffrage for women. The first local elections ever held in the country occurred in 2005. Women were not given the right to vote or to stand for election.

United Arab Emirates - Limited, but will be fully expanded by 2010.

Vatican City - No suffrage for women; while most men in the Vatican also lack the vote, all persons with suffrage in Papal conclaves (the Cardinals) are male.

“I have a dream . . . “

Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Civil Rights Movement

Began in the 1950’s and continued through the sixties and seventies

Prominent Leaders: Martin Luther King, Jr. W.E.B. DuBois Malcolm X

Campaigned for: An end to discrimination Equal opportunity Equal compensation

Inspired, once again, by African – Americans, women began to campaign for equal rights as well

Specifically, they campaigned for: Equal opportunity Equal compensation Reproductive rights

African - Americans Women

What do you think?

Are We There Yet??

Compensation

Domestically Internationally

A Light at the end of the Tunnel . . .

Research suggests we are heading into a world where the interests and values of women will gradually come to displace the interests and values of men.

Women vs. Men in College

What Does this Mean??

Success Strategies for Women

1. Get as much as education and training as you can

2. Be a surfer girl3. Leverage your communication and interpersonal skills4. Plan your career5. Network6. Find a mentor7. Cultivate and project confidence8. Self-promote9. Incubate your talents10. Become a free agent