Women- Black Power

What did Black Power do for African American women?

Encouraged AA women to be proud of their culture, especially the theme 'black is beautiful'.

What proportion of Black Panther members were women by the 1970s?

2/3 due to killing and imprisonment of men

Who was Elaine Browne?

Became chairwoman for Black Panthers in 1974. Wrote a book called 'A taste of power' in 1992.

How were women treated in the Black Panthers?

Trained alongside men and in propoganda were shown as revolutionaries

How did women indirectly participate in black power?

Many women local leaders in various organisations and took part in community initiatives that were a sipn-off from black power- often supporting AA women in issues like healthcare, education, and housing.

What was a limitation of these female local leaders?

Meant women were helping through home and family rather than traditional 'male' roles

What is evidence women stood alongside men?

Slogan 'Revolutionary first, sister second' inspired women to be active in terms of political activity and direct action

How did black power affect women in a broader sense?

The developemnt of a different sort of politics led to questioning about established social norms in other spheres. This critical lens led to an expansion of gender politics and encouraged the growth of second wave feminism.

How did traditional male attitudes impede women during Black Power?

Impeded women's rise to national prominence and decision making roles in the civil rights movement. This was a feature of Black Power organisations.

How did male AA activists view feminism?

As a 'white women's thing'. Stokely Carmichael joked int he late 1960s 'the only place for women in SNCC is prone'

How had separtist movements viewed birth control?

Often looked to traditional cultures so opposed it

How had Black Power hindered women's progress?

Rise of African American activism encouraged conservatism in USA, meaning less support for women's suffrage also.

When was the Feminine Mystique published?

1963 by Betty Friedan

When was the National Organisation for Women established?

1966

What tactics did NOW (1966) use?

lobbying members of the US senate, filing lawsuits against discrimination, abd seeking support of public opinion

How does NOW (1966) relate to black power?

Shows feminism movement underway before black power, therefore limited influence on women's political gains

What was NOW (1966) like by 1968?

More militant

What was the Miss America protest (1968)?

The New York Radical Women's group threw symbolic items of women's oppression (bras, hairspray, wigs, magazines) into a 'freedom trash can'. Crowned a live sheep in the Miss America pageant.

What does the Miss America Protest (1968) indicate about women and Black Power?

More militant and shocking displays of protest may have been influenced by black power

How many women were in Congress by 1969?

11

How many African Americans were in Congress by 1969?

10- all men

How many girls aged 15-19 wanted to be a housewife by age 35 according to a 1968 survey?

65%

What did the Women's Strike for Equality (1970) mark?

The 50th anniversary of women's suffrage. Brought together radical and moderate feminists.

what was evidence of progress for women by 1969?

Single and married women could obtain credit in their own name, advertised jobs were no longer under 'male' and 'female' headings, provision fo federal funding provided an incentive to large business corporations to adopt equal pay