- Ecologist Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring inspires the environmental movement.
- Betty Friedan’s book The Feminine Mystique is published, launching the modern women’s movement in the United States.
-The Civil Rights Act is passed, banning discrimination on the basis of color, race, national origin, religion, or sex.
-Congress passes the Equal Pay Act, the first federal law prohibiting sexual discrimination.
-The National Women’s Political Caucus is founded in Washington, D.C.
-The U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade guarantees a woman’s right to abortion.
1960-1970 RISING POWER
The 1960s was the height of the Civil Rights Movement and many women joined the cause. They sympathized with the discrimination that blacks were receiving. Young women led the reform movements. In 1963, President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Law and Betty Friedan's book “The Feminine Mystique” and NOW further increased women’s participation in society. The young women wanted more rights and were tired of how the older generation lived. They started dressing more boldly and radically, wearing tie dye, miniskirts and black leather jackets. Women’s status in society was slowly increasing and they were started to get more involved. Their clothing reflected that because they were often similar to what men were wearing.