The Continuing Struggle for The Continuing Struggle for Comparable Worth:Comparable Worth:

Women in AmericaWomen in America

Diversity in the WorkplaceDiversity in the Workplace

Psych 701, Fall 2008Psych 701, Fall 2008

UW- Stout, Menomonie WIUW- Stout, Menomonie WI

Presented by Lynnea WhitePresented by Lynnea White

Our Founding Feminist Mothers Our Founding Feminist Mothers 18401840

Elizabeth Cady Stanton >Elizabeth Cady Stanton >

Mary Ann McClintock Mary Ann McClintock

Martha C. WrightMartha C. Wright

Lucretia MottLucretia Mott

Jane Hunt Jane Hunt

American Revolution, 70 years earlierAmerican Revolution, 70 years earlierPatriots freedom from tyranny? Patriots freedom from tyranny?

Women had taken equally tremendous risks… Women had taken equally tremendous risks…

Seneca Falls ConventionSeneca Falls Convention“…to discuss the social, civil, and religious condition “…to discuss the social, civil, and religious condition

and rights of woman." and rights of woman."

"A discussion of the rights of animals would be"A discussion of the rights of animals would be

regarded with far more complacency by many of whatregarded with far more complacency by many of what

are called the wise and the good of our land, thanare called the wise and the good of our land, than

would be a discussion of the rights of woman." would be a discussion of the rights of woman." – – Fredrick DouglasFredrick Douglas

Stanton drafted eleven resolutionsStanton drafted eleven resolutions All passed unanimously except for woman suffrage All passed unanimously except for woman suffrage

When national victory came in 1920, seventy-two years after the When national victory came in 1920, seventy-two years after the first organized demand in 1848, only one signer of the Seneca first organized demand in 1848, only one signer of the Seneca Falls Declaration-Charlotte Woodward, a young worker in a glove Falls Declaration-Charlotte Woodward, a young worker in a glove manufactory -had lived long enough to cast her ballot. manufactory -had lived long enough to cast her ballot.

Declaration of Sentiments Declaration of Sentiments –Elizabeth Cady Stanton–Elizabeth Cady Stanton

"injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman” "injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman”

Married women were legally dead in the eyes of the law

Women were not allowed to vote

Women had to submit to laws when they had no voice in their formation

Married women had no property rights

Husbands had legal power over and responsibility for their wives to the extent that they could imprison or beat them with impunity

Divorce and child custody laws favored men, giving no rights to women

Women had to pay property taxes although they had no representation in the levying of these taxes

Most occupations were closed to women and when women did work they were paid only a fraction of what men earned

Women were not allowed to enter professions such as medicine or law

Women had no means to gain an education since no college or university would accept women students

With only a few exceptions, women were not allowed to participate in the affairs of the church

Women were robbed of their self-confidence and self-respect, and were made totally dependent on men

The 19The 19thth Amendment AmendmentPassed by Congress June 4, 1919  Passed by Congress June 4, 1919 

Ratified August 18, 1920Ratified August 18, 1920

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall notThe right of citizens of the United States to vote shall notbe denied or abridged by the United States or by any statebe denied or abridged by the United States or by any state

on account of sex. on account of sex.

Susan B. AnthonySusan B. Anthony

1849: Daughters of Temperance1849: Daughters of Temperance

1854: American Anti-slavery Society1854: American Anti-slavery Society

1868-70: "The Revolution" 1868-70: "The Revolution" equal pay for womenequal pay for women

1872-73: Arrested twice for trying to vote1872-73: Arrested twice for trying to vote

1869-90: National Woman Suffrage Association 1869-90: National Woman Suffrage Association

1890-06: National American Woman Suffrage Association1890-06: National American Woman Suffrage Association

The Second Wave of FeminismThe Second Wave of Feminism“Birth Control Movement”“Birth Control Movement”

Margaret Sanger:Margaret Sanger: Woman's right to control her own bodyWoman's right to control her own body

Reproduction and sexualityReproduction and sexuality Endorsed educating women about existing birth control Endorsed educating women about existing birth control

methodsmethods Reproductive freedom for modern women Reproductive freedom for modern women

19361936: Supreme Court declassified birth control info as : Supreme Court declassified birth control info as being obscene!being obscene!

19651965: Married couples could obtain contraceptives : Married couples could obtain contraceptives legally!legally!

Feminist Advocates of the 1940-60sFeminist Advocates of the 1940-60s

Esther PetersonEsther Peterson Director of Women’s Bureau of the Dept. of Labor Director of Women’s Bureau of the Dept. of Labor

President John F. KennedyPresident John F. Kennedy Civil Rights MovementCivil Rights Movement

Eleanor RooseveltEleanor Roosevelt Committee on the Status of WomenCommittee on the Status of Women

Betty FriedanBetty Friedan National Organization for WomenNational Organization for Women National Abortion Rights Action LeagueNational Abortion Rights Action League National Women's Political CaucusNational Women's Political Caucus

““The problem that has no name"The problem that has no name"

Betty FriedanBetty Friedan

Advocated: a Advocated: a reasonable, moderate, reasonable, moderate, heterosexual, heterosexual, family-loving not family-loving not family-family-destroying, destroying, man- loving not man- loving not man-hating approach man-hating approach

The Feminine MystiqueThe Feminine Mystique

- epitomizes an earlier, less sophisticated and less inclusive - epitomizes an earlier, less sophisticated and less inclusive version of feminism. It is the feminism of a white, privileged middle version of feminism. It is the feminism of a white, privileged middle class woman who was unaware of the lives of women outside the class woman who was unaware of the lives of women outside the confines of safe and prosperous suburbs. confines of safe and prosperous suburbs.

The Threat of the The Threat of the “Red Menace”“Red Menace”

David BohmDavid Bohm Contributing physicist on the Manhattan ProjectContributing physicist on the Manhattan Project Friedan’s boyfriendFriedan’s boyfriend

MaCarthyism and involvement in radical politicsMaCarthyism and involvement in radical politics DangerousDangerous Would undercut impact of bookWould undercut impact of book Jeopardize the Women’s MovementJeopardize the Women’s Movement

"I wish to highlight the damage McCarthyism did to progressive "I wish to highlight the damage McCarthyism did to progressive social movements in the 1940s and early 1950s, and especially to social movements in the 1940s and early 1950s, and especially to feminism, which it forced underground but could not destroy.“feminism, which it forced underground but could not destroy.“

– –Daniel HorowitzDaniel Horowitz

OppositionOpposition

Historically: women primarily responsible for Historically: women primarily responsible for home and child carehome and child care

40% fewer years than men 40% fewer years than men Higher education/training Higher education/training Flexibility for home demandsFlexibility for home demands

Reduce economic efficiency and would even Reduce economic efficiency and would even reduce employment opportunities for womenreduce employment opportunities for women

Specific fields predominantly employ women Specific fields predominantly employ women

The Equal Pay ActThe Equal Pay Actof 1963of 1963

Requires that men and women be given equal pay for Requires that men and women be given equal pay for equal work in the same establishment. The jobs need equal work in the same establishment. The jobs need

notnot be identical, but they must be substantially equal. It be identical, but they must be substantially equal. It is job is job contentcontent, not job titles, that determines whether , not job titles, that determines whether

jobs are substantially equal. jobs are substantially equal.

Skill * Effort * Responsibility * Working Conditions * EstablishmentSkill * Effort * Responsibility * Working Conditions * Establishment

The Past 45 YearsThe Past 45 Years

1964: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act1964: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

Equal Employment Opportunity Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionCommission

1966: National Organization for Women1966: National Organization for Women

1972: Title IX in the Education Codes1972: Title IX in the Education Codes

1978: Civil Service Reform Act1978: Civil Service Reform Act

Women's Financial LiberationWomen's Financial Liberation

Do you realize that just 25 years ago married Do you realize that just 25 years ago married women were not issued credit cards in their women were not issued credit cards in their own name? That most women could not get a own name? That most women could not get a bank loan without a male co-signer? That bank loan without a male co-signer? That women working full time earned fifty-nine cents women working full time earned fifty-nine cents to every dollar earned by men? to every dollar earned by men?

Help-wanted ads in newspapers were Help-wanted ads in newspapers were segregated into "Help wanted - women" and segregated into "Help wanted - women" and "Help wanted- men." "Help wanted- men."

The Wage GapThe Wage Gap

0

20

40

60

80

100

20-24 25-34 45+

Men

Women

1988 ratio of men to women’s hourly wages*Doctorates in economics > 5% gap

Pay EquityPay EquityOccupations dominated by female Occupations dominated by female

workers:workers: Paid less than comparable male-dominated jobsPaid less than comparable male-dominated jobs Secretary vs. Garbage “man”Secretary vs. Garbage “man” Even when these positions are held by men Even when these positions are held by men

The Glass Ceiling:The Glass Ceiling: Restricted women from certain positions/ promotionsRestricted women from certain positions/ promotions

Comparable worth:Comparable worth: Employers required to set wages reflecting differences Employers required to set wages reflecting differences

in “worth” in “worth” Job Evaluation studies vs. Market ForcesJob Evaluation studies vs. Market Forces

The Third WaveThe Third Wave 1990 - Present1990 - Present

Women's reproductive rights. Women's reproductive rights. Roe v. Wade affirmed women's choice during the first two trimesters.Roe v. Wade affirmed women's choice during the first two trimesters.

Women's enrollment in military academies and service in active combat. Women's enrollment in military academies and service in active combat.

Women in leadership roles in religious worship. Women in leadership roles in religious worship.

Affirmative action. Do qualified women now face a level playing field? Affirmative action. Do qualified women now face a level playing field?

The mommy track. The mommy track.

Pornography. Is it degrading, even dangerous, to women, or is it simply a Pornography. Is it degrading, even dangerous, to women, or is it simply a free speech issue? free speech issue?

Sexual harassment. Just where does flirting leave off and harassment Sexual harassment. Just where does flirting leave off and harassment begin? begin?

1998, 1998, The 150th AnniversaryThe 150th Anniversary

Many people who have lived through the Many people who have lived through the recent decades of this process have recent decades of this process have

come to accept blithely what has come to accept blithely what has transpired. And younger people, for the transpired. And younger people, for the most part, can hardly believe life was most part, can hardly believe life was

ever otherwise. They take the changes ever otherwise. They take the changes completely in stride, as how life has completely in stride, as how life has

always been. always been.

LegislationLegislation

United States v. City of ErieUnited States v. City of Erie, , January 2004 January 2004

Physical abilities test (PAT); entry-level police officerPhysical abilities test (PAT); entry-level police officer Significant disparate impact upon womenSignificant disparate impact upon women Violated Title VIIViolated Title VII Remedial relief to women who Remedial relief to women who would have beenwould have been appointed officers appointed officers

Job offers, retroactive seniority, and back payJob offers, retroactive seniority, and back pay

In a case involving the government employees' union (AFSCME) In a case involving the government employees' union (AFSCME) versus the state of Washington, the court upheld the state's right versus the state of Washington, the court upheld the state's right to base pay on market wages rather than on a job evaluation, to base pay on market wages rather than on a job evaluation, writing, "Neither law nor logic deems the free market system a writing, "Neither law nor logic deems the free market system a suspect enterprise." suspect enterprise."

-Anthony Kennedy (US Supreme Court Justice)-Anthony Kennedy (US Supreme Court Justice)

Pay DifferentialsPay Differentials

……permittedpermitted when they are based on seniority, when they are based on seniority, merit, quantity or quality of production, or a merit, quantity or quality of production, or a factor other than sex. factor other than sex.

These are known as "affirmative defenses" and it is the These are known as "affirmative defenses" and it is the employer's burden to prove that they apply.employer's burden to prove that they apply.

In correcting a pay differential, no employee's pay may In correcting a pay differential, no employee's pay may be reduced. Instead, the pay of the lower paid be reduced. Instead, the pay of the lower paid employee(s) must be increased.employee(s) must be increased.

Job EvaluationJob Evaluation

ProposedProposed method: method: Jobs rated, points assignedJobs rated, points assigned

Necessary knowledge and skills, mental demands, Necessary knowledge and skills, mental demands, accountability, and working conditionsaccountability, and working conditions

Equal Scores = PayEqual Scores = Pay

Subjectivity: Subjectivity: No No oneone correct method to determine points/ correct method to determine points/

attributeattribute

Current TrendsCurrent Trends

Earning gaps between college-educated men & womenEarning gaps between college-educated men & women

1) West Virginia 89%1) West Virginia 89%2) District of Columbia 89% 2) District of Columbia 89%

3) Vermont 83% 3) Vermont 83% 4) Alaska 82% 4) Alaska 82%

5) New York 82% 5) New York 82%

47) South Carolina 68% 47) South Carolina 68%

48) Indiana 67% 48) Indiana 67% 49) Virginia 67% 49) Virginia 67%

50) New Jersey 66% 50) New Jersey 66% 51) Louisiana 64% 51) Louisiana 64%

((According to the American Association of University Women, published 2008)According to the American Association of University Women, published 2008)

For More Information:For More Information:

National Women's History ProjectNational Women's History Project3440 Airway Drive, Suite F3440 Airway Drive, Suite FSanta Rosa, CA 95403Santa Rosa, CA 95403(707) 636-2888(707) 636-2888www.nwhp.org www.nwhp.org

For a more comprehensive timeline of the For a more comprehensive timeline of the women’s movement, please refer to: women’s movement, please refer to: http://www.legacy98.org/timeline.htmlhttp://www.legacy98.org/timeline.html

ReferencesReferences Boucher, J. Betty Friedan and the Radical Past of Liberal Feminism Boucher, J. Betty Friedan and the Radical Past of Liberal Feminism

[from [from New PoliticsNew Politics, vol. 9, no. 3 (new series), whole no. 35, Summer , vol. 9, no. 3 (new series), whole no. 35, Summer 2003] 2003] http://www.wpunj.edu/~newpol/issue35/boucher35.htm#r28http://www.wpunj.edu/~newpol/issue35/boucher35.htm#r28

Eisenberg, B. & Ruthsdotter, M. (1998). National Women's History Eisenberg, B. & Ruthsdotter, M. (1998). National Women's History Project.Project. http://www.legacy98.org/move-hist.html http://www.legacy98.org/move-hist.html

Living the Legacy: The Women's Rights Movement 1848 - 1998Living the Legacy: The Women's Rights Movement 1848 - 1998 http://www.legacy98.org/move-hist.htmlhttp://www.legacy98.org/move-hist.html

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/activity.html#emphttp://www.usdoj.gov/crt/activity.html#emp http://www.eeoc.gov/types/epa.htmlhttp://www.eeoc.gov/types/epa.html http://www.econlib.org/LIBRARY/Enc/ComparableWorth.htmlhttp://www.econlib.org/LIBRARY/Enc/ComparableWorth.html http://hr.blr.com/news.aspx?id=78018http://hr.blr.com/news.aspx?id=78018 http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/remember/jan-june06/friedan_2-6.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/remember/jan-june06/friedan_2-6.html http://www.notablebiographies.com/Fi-Gi/Friedan-Betty.htmlhttp://www.notablebiographies.com/Fi-Gi/Friedan-Betty.html http://www.npg.si.edu/col/seneca/senfalls1.htmhttp://www.npg.si.edu/col/seneca/senfalls1.htm http://www.history.rochester.edu/class/sba/bio.htmlhttp://www.history.rochester.edu/class/sba/bio.html http://www.history.rochester.edu/class/sba/third.htmlhttp://www.history.rochester.edu/class/sba/third.html http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.amendmentxix.htmlhttp://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.amendmentxix.html