Study Notes on 1960s-1970s Activist Movements

Women's Rights Movement

  • National Organization for Women (NOW)

    • The largest women's rights organization in the United States.

    • Focuses on advocating for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).

  • Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

    • Aims to equalize pay and opportunities for women.

    • Different from the Nineteenth Amendment, which granted women political equality; ERA focuses on economic and social equality.

  • Key Figures

    • Betty Friedan

    • Author of "The Feminine Mystique."

    • Observed that many women in her generation, despite being married with children, did not feel fulfilled.

    • Advocated for women to have more opportunities for intellectual and personal fulfillment.

    • Gloria Steinem

    • A prominent activist in the women's movement, known for her work with the magazine Ms.

    • Advocate for ratifying the ERA and promoting women's rights.

  • ERA Ratification Process

    • Although supported by the House and Senate, the ERA did not get ratified as it failed to achieve the required state approvals.

    • The effort to pass amendments to the Constitution is more challenging than preventing changes.

    • The initial batch of amendments included 12; today, only 10 were ratified immediately, with a further amendment being ratified later without time limits attached initially.

    • To ensure future amendments are passed within a certain timeframe, time limits have since been introduced, affecting the ERA extension efforts.

Black Nationalist Movement

  • Key Leaders

    • Elijah Muhammad

    • Leader of the Nation of Islam.

    • Malcolm X

    • Civil rights activist advocating for Black nationalism.

    • Stokely Carmichael

    • Became a key advocate for the Black Power movement, departing from the nonviolent strategies of Martin Luther King Jr.

    • Emphasized self-defense and empowerment of Black Americans.

  • Black Panther Party

    • Founders: Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton.

    • Focused on armed self-defense and community programs to support African American communities.

    • Established various social programs addressing health, education, and more.

LGBTQ+ Movement

  • Key Figures

    • Harvey Milk

    • The first openly gay elected official in California, serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

    • Harry Hay

    • Founder of the Mattachine Society, aiming to create support networks among gay individuals.

  • Major Events

    • Stonewall Riots (1969)

    • Sparked by a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, this became a pivotal moment for LGBTQ+ activism, resulting in riots lasting several days.

    • Seen as a catalyst for renewed energy within the gay rights movement.

  • LGBTQ+ Advocacy Organizations

    • Early chapters were formed in major cities, establishing a national framework for LGBTQ+ advocacy.

    • GLAAD became a significant organization supporting LGBTQ+ recognition and rights.

Native American Movement

  • Key Figures

    • Russell Means

    • Actor and advocate for Native American rights and issues.

  • Militant Actions

    • Occupations at significant historical sites:

    • Wounded Knee

    • Alcatraz Island

    • Bureau of Indian Affairs during the Trail of Broken Treaties.

    • Aimed to bring attention to the failure of the federal government to support Native American rights and interests.

Latino Rights Movement

  • Key Figures

    • Corky Gonzales

    • Boxer and activist, part of the student walkout movement at West High School in Denver.

    • Advocated for the rights and political representation of the Latino community.

  • Labor Issues

    • Attention to the plight of migrant workers, particularly in California, emphasizing their often-exploited conditions.