When Japanese airplanes attacked Pearl Harbor, women got assisted in their quest for equality. On December 7, 1941, the infamous day got six million men and women enlisted in the Armed Forces.

Females worked in noncombatant roles as clerks, secretaries and nurses. They were enlisted at home and abroad. Army, Navy and Air Force hired thousands during World War II.

Women also contributed in America’s industry. They replaced their boyfriends and husbands who went off to war. Many swung sledgehammers in factories. Some worked on assembly lines to create automobiles. Others assisted in creating war machines such as, jeeps, armored personnel vehicles and tanks. Prior to the conflict, less than 30% of all jobs were considered “open” for women. Their contributions rose than number to over 50%.

World War II began the rise of “feminism”. Feminism was an ideal that meant “women were equal to men”. Billboards of Rosie the Riveter flexing her muscles showed the so-called “weaker sex” had strength and resolve. They carried that resolve during and after the war.

As their men came home, women refused to surrender their “breadwinner” status. Men attempted to reclaim the sexist power they once had. This led to an sharp increase in postwar divorce. Women no longer settled with being married and starting a family. They wanted jobs and careers as their male counterparts. They competed for mainstream jobs with men. They worked in male-dominated companies. Unfortunately, their efforts met with stiff resistance.

In America’s workplace, women weren’t be hired for their abilities. They were considered for only their physical beauty. Qualified applicants with college degrees lost out to well-paying jobs. Sexual discrimination was a major concern in several occupations. Flight attendants, office workers, tellers, postal workers, warehouse laborers and other had problems protecting women in their work areas.

Women were propositioned. They were called revolting names. They were denied promotions, raises or bonuses. Many lost their jobs because they stood to the harassment and discrimination. However, the answer came in July 1964.

In Washington, women’s rights advocate, Alice Paul attempted to get her amendment passed. She wanted her amendment barring sexual discrimination (in the workplace) added to the Civil Rights bill. She got an ally with a Virginia congressman with ulterior motives.

The Virginia congressman added Paul’s amendment to irritate Southern Republicans. He figured old, white incumbents wouldn’t support a bill that 1) guaranteed Negroes voting rights and 2)women political power. Surprisingly, he was wrong. The bill passed the House vote 66% to 34%. On July 2, 1964, the Civil Right Act was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

As the 1960s closed, Shirley Chisolm achieved a victory for women’s right. She earned a spot on a 1972 election ballot while running for president. She competed against Republican incumbent, Richard Nixon and Democratic candidate, George McGovern. Chisolm represented a third-party organization called The Freedom Party. She failed to get 10% of the vote, but put a black woman’s face on the ticket.

The 1970s also brought attention a woman’s right to play sports. Women’s sports deserved federal and state funding. The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) passed Title 19. Title 19 put women athletics on the same plain with men’s athletics. Both were able to receive APPROPRIATE AND EQUAL funding. Considering the success of the Women’s Basketball Final Four and U.S. Olympic team, Title 19 was a resounding success.

It took the fortitude of Rosa Parks. She refused to give up her Montgomery (Alabama) bus seat to a white man in 1954. It took Alice Paul to stand up for her beliefs. Shirley Chisolm was brave enough to place herself “in harm’s way” and compete for the 1972 presidency. Others like, Viola Luizzo gave her life to assist civil rights marchers from Selma to Montgomery in 1965. These women did their duty for their gender. They did their duty for American society as a whole.