Supporting standards comprise 35% of the U. S. History Test 9 (B)

1. Supporting standards comprise 35% of the U. S. History Test 9 (B)

2. Supporting Standard (9)The student understands the impact of the American civil rights movement. The Student is expected to: (B) Describe the roles of political organizations that promoted civil rights, including ones for African American, Chicano, American Indian, women’s, & other civil rights movements

3. Supporting Standard (9)The student understands the impact of the American civil rights movement. The Student is expected to: (B) 1 Describe the roles of political organizations that promoted civil rights, including ones for African American civil rights movements

4. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonpartisan non-profit organization whose stated mission is “to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.” It works through litigation, lobbying, and community education. Founded in 1920 by Robert Baldwin, Crystal Eastman, Helen Keller, and Walter Nelles, the ACLU has over 500,000 members and has an annual budget over $100 million. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonpartisan non-profit organization whose stated mission is “to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.” It works through litigation, lobbying, and community education. Founded in 1920 by Robert Baldwin, Crystal Eastman, Helen Keller, and Walter Nelles, the ACLU has over 500,000 members and has an annual budget over $100 million. The ACLU provides legal assistance in cases when it considers civil liberties to be at risk. Legal support from the ACLU can take the form of direct legal representation, or preparation of amicus curiae briefs expressing legal arguments (when another law firm is already providing representation). The ACLU provides legal assistance in cases when it considers civil liberties to be at risk. Legal support from the ACLU can take the form of direct legal representation, or preparation of amicus curiae briefs expressing legal arguments (when another law firm is already providing representation).

5. When the ACLU was founded in 1920, its focus was on freedom of speech, primarily for anti-war protesters. During the 1920s, the ACLU expanded its scope to include protecting the free speech rights of artists and striking workers, and working with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to combat racism and discrimination. During the 1930s, the ACLU started to engage in work combating police misconduct and for Native American rights. During World War II, the ACLU defended Japanese-American citizens, unsuccessfully trying to prevent their forcible relocation to internment camps. The ACLU works to eliminate discrimination against women in all realms. The ACLU encourages government to be proactive in stopping violence against women. These efforts are led by the ACLU's Women’s Rights project. When the ACLU was founded in 1920, its focus was on freedom of speech, primarily for anti-war protesters. During the 1920s, the ACLU expanded its scope to include protecting the free speech rights of artists and striking workers, and working with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to combat racism and discrimination. During the 1930s, the ACLU started to engage in work combating police misconduct and for Native American rights. During World War II, the ACLU defended Japanese-American citizens, unsuccessfully trying to prevent their forcible relocation to internment camps. The ACLU works to eliminate discrimination against women in all realms. The ACLU encourages government to be proactive in stopping violence against women. These efforts are led by the ACLU's Women’s Rights project. Although the ACLU deferred to the NAACP for litigation promoting civil liberties for African Americans, the ACLU did engage in educational efforts, and published Black Justice in 1931, a report which documented institutional racism throughout the South, including lack of voting rights, segregation, and discrimination in the justice system. Funded by the Garland Fund, the ACLU also participated in producing the influential Margold Report, which outlined a strategy to fight for civil rights for blacks. The ACLU’s plan was to demonstrate that the “separate but equal” policies governing the Southern discrimination were illegal because blacks were never, in fact, treated equally. Although the ACLU deferred to the NAACP for litigation promoting civil liberties for African Americans, the ACLU did engage in educational efforts, and published Black Justice in 1931, a report which documented institutional racism throughout the South, including lack of voting rights, segregation, and discrimination in the justice system. Funded by the Garland Fund, the ACLU also participated in producing the influential Margold Report, which outlined a strategy to fight for civil rights for blacks. The ACLU’s plan was to demonstrate that the “separate but equal” policies governing the Southern discrimination were illegal because blacks were never, in fact, treated equally.

6. A major aspect of civil liberties progress after World War II was the undoing centuries of racism in federal, state, and local governments – an effort generally known as the Civil Rights Movement. Several civil liberties organizations worked together for progress, including the NAACP, the ACLU, and the American Jewish Congress. The NAACP took primary responsibility for Supreme Court cases, with the ACLU focusing on police misconduct, and supporting the NAACP with amicus briefs.  A major aspect of civil liberties progress after World War II was the undoing centuries of racism in federal, state, and local governments – an effort generally known as the Civil Rights Movement. Several civil liberties organizations worked together for progress, including the NAACP, the ACLU, and the American Jewish Congress. The NAACP took primary responsibility for Supreme Court cases, with the ACLU focusing on police misconduct, and supporting the NAACP with amicus briefs.  In 1954, the ACLU filed an amicus brief in the case of Brown v. Board of Education. African-American protests in the South accelerated in the early 1960s, and the ACLU assisted at every step. In 1954, the ACLU filed an amicus brief in the case of Brown v. Board of Education. African-American protests in the South accelerated in the early 1960s, and the ACLU assisted at every step.

7. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is an African-American civil rights organization in the United States, formed in 1909. Its mission is “to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.” Its name, retained in accordance with tradition, uses the once common term “colored people.” The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is an African-American civil rights organization in the United States, formed in 1909. Its mission is “to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.” Its name, retained in accordance with tradition, uses the once common term “colored people.”

8. Predecessor: The Niagara Movement In 1905, a group of thirty-two prominent African-American leaders met to discuss the challenges facing people of color and possible strategies and solutions. They were particularly concerned by the Southern states’ disenfranchisement of blacks starting with Mississippi’s passage of a new constitution in 1890. Through the early 1900s, legislatures dominated by white Democrats ratified new constitutions and laws creating barriers to voter registration and more complex election rules. Black voter registration and turnout dropped markedly in the South as a result. Men who had been voting for thirty years in the South were told they did not “qualify” to register. The fledgling group struggled for a time with limited resources and internal conflict, and disbanded in 1910. Seven of the members of the Niagara Movement joined the Board of Directors of the NAACP, founded in 1909.

9. NAACP The Race Riot of 1908 in Abraham Lincoln’s hometown of Springfield, Il., had highlighted the urgent need for an effective civil rights organization in the U.S. This event is often cited as the catalyst for the formation of the NAACP.  Solicitations for support went out to more than 60 prominent Americans, and a meeting date was set for February 12, 1909. This was intended to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the birth of Lincoln, who emancipated enslaved African Americans. While the meeting did not take place until three months later, this date is often cited as the founding date of the organization. The NAACP was incorporated a year later in 1911. The association’s charter delineated its mission: The Race Riot of 1908 in Abraham Lincoln’s hometown of Springfield, Il., had highlighted the urgent need for an effective civil rights organization in the U.S. This event is often cited as the catalyst for the formation of the NAACP.  Solicitations for support went out to more than 60 prominent Americans, and a meeting date was set for February 12, 1909. This was intended to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the birth of Lincoln, who emancipated enslaved African Americans. While the meeting did not take place until three months later, this date is often cited as the founding date of the organization. The NAACP was incorporated a year later in 1911. The association’s charter delineated its mission:

10. To promote equality of rights and to eradicate caste or race prejudice among the citizens of the United States; to advance the interest of colored citizens; to secure for them impartial suffrage; and to increase their opportunities for securing justice in the courts, education for the children, employment according to their ability and complete equality before law. To promote equality of rights and to eradicate caste or race prejudice among the citizens of the United States; to advance the interest of colored citizens; to secure for them impartial suffrage; and to increase their opportunities for securing justice in the courts, education for the children, employment according to their ability and complete equality before law. The conference resulted in a more influential and diverse organization, where the leadership was predominantly white and heavily Jewish American. In fact, at its founding, the NAACP had only one African American on its executive board, W. E. B. Du Bois himself. In its early years, the NAACP concentrated on using the courts to overturn the Jim Crow statutes that legalized racial segregation. The conference resulted in a more influential and diverse organization, where the leadership was predominantly white and heavily Jewish American. In fact, at its founding, the NAACP had only one African American on its executive board, W. E. B. Du Bois himself. In its early years, the NAACP concentrated on using the courts to overturn the Jim Crow statutes that legalized racial segregation.

11. The NAACP devoted much of its energy during the interwar to fighting the lynching of blacks throughout the United States by working for legislation, lobbying and educating the public. With the rise of private corporate litigators like the NAACP to bear the expense, civil suits became the pattern in modern civil rights litigation. The campaign for desegregation culminated in a unanimous 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education that held state-sponsored segregation of elementary schools was unconstitutional. Bolstered by that victory, the NAACP pushed for full desegregation throughout the South. The NAACP devoted much of its energy during the interwar to fighting the lynching of blacks throughout the United States by working for legislation, lobbying and educating the public. With the rise of private corporate litigators like the NAACP to bear the expense, civil suits became the pattern in modern civil rights litigation. The campaign for desegregation culminated in a unanimous 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education that held state-sponsored segregation of elementary schools was unconstitutional. Bolstered by that victory, the NAACP pushed for full desegregation throughout the South.

12. Supporting Standard (9)The student understands the impact of the American civil rights movement. The Student is expected to: (B) 2 Describe the roles of political organizations that promoted civil rights, including ones for Chicano

13. Mexican Political Association The Mexican Political Association (MAPA), founded in Fresno, Ca., came into being in 1959 and drew up a plan for direct electoral politics. MAPA soon became the primary political voice for the Mexican-American community of California. MAPA promotes the interests of Mexican-Americans, Mexicans, Latinos, Chicanos, Hispanics and Latino Economic Refugees in the U. S. The Mexican Political Association (MAPA), founded in Fresno, Ca., came into being in 1959 and drew up a plan for direct electoral politics. MAPA soon became the primary political voice for the Mexican-American community of California. MAPA promotes the interests of Mexican-Americans, Mexicans, Latinos, Chicanos, Hispanics and Latino Economic Refugees in the U. S. The Mexican American Political Association (MAPA) was organized by 150 volunteer delegates at Fresno in April 1960 as a means to elect Mexican American candidates to public office.  The Mexican American Political Association (MAPA) was organized by 150 volunteer delegates at Fresno in April 1960 as a means to elect Mexican American candidates to public office. 

14. MAPA is a grass roots based coalition with an organizational structure that functions as a collective of communal circles working together, at different levels, towards political empowerment, self-determination and sustainability of the Latino community’s future. MAPA is a grass roots based coalition with an organizational structure that functions as a collective of communal circles working together, at different levels, towards political empowerment, self-determination and sustainability of the Latino community’s future. MAPA is a civil and human rights organization that fights against the discrimination and political disenfranchisement of Latinos in particular and low-income people of color in general. MAPA is a civil and human rights organization that fights against the discrimination and political disenfranchisement of Latinos in particular and low-income people of color in general. MAPA members also aided Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers in political and labor negotiations. They also realized their first electoral victories that year. MAPA members also aided Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers in political and labor negotiations. They also realized their first electoral victories that year.

15. During the 1970s, MAPA saw more successful campaigns by Mexican American candidates, but also won important appointments in the administration of California Governor Jerry Brown. The 1980s were characterized by continued efforts to elect Mexican American candidates, and in the 1990s MAPA was a co-filer of the suit against California Proposition 187 (1994). During the 1970s, MAPA saw more successful campaigns by Mexican American candidates, but also won important appointments in the administration of California Governor Jerry Brown. The 1980s were characterized by continued efforts to elect Mexican American candidates, and in the 1990s MAPA was a co-filer of the suit against California Proposition 187 (1994). Originally founded to create political empowerment of Mexican-Americans and defend against exploitation and abuses of farm workers in Central California’s San Joaquin Valley as well as to remedy the lack of political representation. MAPA continues to be dedicated to the constitutional and democratic principle of political freedom and representation for the Mexican and Hispanic people of the U. S. Originally founded to create political empowerment of Mexican-Americans and defend against exploitation and abuses of farm workers in Central California’s San Joaquin Valley as well as to remedy the lack of political representation. MAPA continues to be dedicated to the constitutional and democratic principle of political freedom and representation for the Mexican and Hispanic people of the U. S.

16. To accomplish the goal of political empowerment for Mexican Americans, MAPA trains campaign workers, registers voters, raises funds, lobbies officials, endorses candidates, and monitors judicial appointments. They have also used grassroots tactics, public relations, and demonstrations. To accomplish the goal of political empowerment for Mexican Americans, MAPA trains campaign workers, registers voters, raises funds, lobbies officials, endorses candidates, and monitors judicial appointments. They have also used grassroots tactics, public relations, and demonstrations. American GI Forum The American G.I. Forum (AGIF) is a Congressionally chartered Hispanic veterans & civil rights organization. Its motto is “Education is Our Freedom and Freedom should be Everybody's Business.”. AGIF currently operates chapters throughout the United States, with a focus on veteran’s issues, education, and civil rights. The American G.I. Forum (AGIF) is a Congressionally chartered Hispanic veterans & civil rights organization. Its motto is “Education is Our Freedom and Freedom should be Everybody's Business.”. AGIF currently operates chapters throughout the United States, with a focus on veteran’s issues, education, and civil rights.

17. It was established in Corpus Christi, the seat of Nueces County, Tx., on March 26, 1948 by Dr. Hector P. Garcia to address the concerns of Mexican-American veterans, who were segregated from other veterans groups. Initially formed to request services for World War II veterans of Mexican descent who were denied medical services by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the AGIF soon spread into non-veteran’s issues such as voting rights, jury selection, and educational desegregation, advocating for the civil rights of all Mexican Americans. Today, the AGIF advocates on behalf of all Hispanic veterans. It was established in Corpus Christi, the seat of Nueces County, Tx., on March 26, 1948 by Dr. Hector P. Garcia to address the concerns of Mexican-American veterans, who were segregated from other veterans groups. Initially formed to request services for World War II veterans of Mexican descent who were denied medical services by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the AGIF soon spread into non-veteran’s issues such as voting rights, jury selection, and educational desegregation, advocating for the civil rights of all Mexican Americans. Today, the AGIF advocates on behalf of all Hispanic veterans.

18. Supporting Standard (9)The student understands the impact of the American civil rights movement. The Student is expected to: (B) 3 Describe the roles of political organizations that promoted civil rights, including ones for American Indian civil rights movements

19. American Indian Movement The American Indian Movement (AIM) is a Native American advocacy group in the United States, founded in 1968 in Minneapolis, Mn., with an agenda that focuses on spirituality, leadership, and sovereignty. The American Indian Movement (AIM) is a Native American advocacy group in the United States, founded in 1968 in Minneapolis, Mn., with an agenda that focuses on spirituality, leadership, and sovereignty. The organization was formed to address various issues concerning the Native American urban community in Minneapolis, including poverty, housing, treaty issues, and police harassment. From its beginnings in Minnesota, AIM soon attracted members from across the United States and Canada. It participated in the Rainbow Coalition organized by the civil rights activist Fred Hampton. The organization was formed to address various issues concerning the Native American urban community in Minneapolis, including poverty, housing, treaty issues, and police harassment. From its beginnings in Minnesota, AIM soon attracted members from across the United States and Canada. It participated in the Rainbow Coalition organized by the civil rights activist Fred Hampton. In October 1971, AIM gathered members from across the country to a protest in Washington, D.C. known as the “Trail of Broken Treaties.” In October 1971, AIM gathered members from across the country to a protest in Washington, D.C. known as the “Trail of Broken Treaties.”

20. AIM gained national attention in 1972 when it seized the Bureau of Indian Affairs national headquarters and presented a 20-point list of demands to the federal government. In 1973, it led a 71-day armed standoff with federal forces at Wounded Knee, S. D., on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. AIM gained national attention in 1972 when it seized the Bureau of Indian Affairs national headquarters and presented a 20-point list of demands to the federal government. In 1973, it led a 71-day armed standoff with federal forces at Wounded Knee, S. D., on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. In the decades since AIM’s founding, the group has led protests advocating indigenous American interests, inspired cultural renewal, monitored police activities, and coordinated employment programs in cities and in rural reservation communities across the United States. AIM has often supported indigenous interests outside the United States as well. By 1993, AIM had split into two main factions, with the AIM-Grand Governing Council based in Minneapolis and affirming its right to use the name and trademarks for affiliated chapters. In the decades since AIM’s founding, the group has led protests advocating indigenous American interests, inspired cultural renewal, monitored police activities, and coordinated employment programs in cities and in rural reservation communities across the United States. AIM has often supported indigenous interests outside the United States as well. By 1993, AIM had split into two main factions, with the AIM-Grand Governing Council based in Minneapolis and affirming its right to use the name and trademarks for affiliated chapters.

21. AIM developed a 20-point list to summarize its issues with federal treaties and promises, which they publicized during their occupation in 1972. Twelve points addressed treaty responsibilities which the protesters believed the U.S. government had failed to fulfill: Restore treaty-making (ended by Congress in 1871); Establish a treaty commission to make new treaties (with sovereign Native Nations); Provide opportunities for Indian leaders to address Congress directly; Review treaty commitments and violations; Have unratified treaties reviewed by the Senate; Ensure that all American Indians are governed by treaty relations; Provide relief to Native Nations as compensation for treaty rights violations; Recognize the right of Indians to interpret treaties;

22. Create a Joint Congressional Committee to reconstruct relations with Indians; Restore 110 million acres of land taken away from Native Nations by the United States; Restore terminated rights of Native Nations; Repeal state jurisdiction on Native Nations (Public Law 280); Provide Federal protection for offenses against Indians; Abolish the Bureau of Indian Affairs; Create a new office of Federal Indian Relations; Remedy breakdown in the constitutionally prescribed relationships between the United States and Native Nations; Ensure immunity of Native Nations from state commerce regulation, taxes, and trade restrictions; Protect Indian religious freedom and cultural integrity; Establish national Indian voting with local options; free national Indian organizations from governmental controls; and Reclaim and affirm health, housing, employment, economic development, and education for all Indian people.

23. AIM opposes national and collegiate sports teams using figures of indigenous people as mascots and team names, such as the Cleveland Indians, the Atlanta Braves, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington Redskins. AIM opposes national and collegiate sports teams using figures of indigenous people as mascots and team names, such as the Cleveland Indians, the Atlanta Braves, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington Redskins. These actions and other protest began to publicize the issues of the American Indian Movement. In 1980, the US Supreme Court ruled that the federal government had illegally taken the Black Hills. The government offered financial compensation, but the Oglala Sioux have refused it, insisting on return of the land to their people. The settlement money is earning interest. These actions and other protest began to publicize the issues of the American Indian Movement. In 1980, the US Supreme Court ruled that the federal government had illegally taken the Black Hills. The government offered financial compensation, but the Oglala Sioux have refused it, insisting on return of the land to their people. The settlement money is earning interest. Many AIM chapters remain committed to confronting government and corporate forces that they allege seek to marginalize Indigenous peoples. They have challenged the ideological foundations of US national holidays, such as Columbus Day and Thanksgiving. Many AIMchapters remain committed to confronting government and corporate forces that they allege seek to marginalize Indigenous peoples. They have challenged the ideological foundations of US national holidays, such as Columbus Day and Thanksgiving.

24. Supporting Standard (9)The student understands the impact of the American civil rights movement. The Student is expected to: (B) 4 Describe the roles of political organizations that promoted civil rights, including ones for women’s civil rights movements

25. National Organization for Women NOW was founded on June 30, 1966, in Washington, D. C., by 28 people attending the Third National Conference of State Commissions on the Status of Women, the successor to the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women. The Statement of Purpose declares that “the time has come to confront, with concrete action, the conditions that now prevent women from enjoying the equality of opportunity and freedom of choice which is their right, as individual Americans, and as human beings.” NOW was founded on June 30, 1966, in Washington, D. C., by 28 people attending the Third National Conference of State Commissions on the Status of Women, the successor to the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women. The Statement of Purpose declares that “the time has come to confront, with concrete action, the conditions that now prevent women from enjoying the equality of opportunity and freedom of choice which is their right, as individual Americans, and as human beings.”

26. The founders included Betty Friedan (the author of The Feminine Mystique, 1963), who was also NOW’s first president), Rev. Pauli Murray, the first African-American female Episcopal priest, and Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for President of the United States of America. The founders included Betty Friedan (the author of The Feminine Mystique, 1963), who was also NOW’s first president), Rev. Pauli Murray, the first African-American female Episcopal priest, and Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for President of the United States of America. In 1968 NOW issued a Bill of Rights, which they had adopted at their 1967 national conference, advocating the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (1972), enforcement of the prohibitions against sex discrimination in employment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, maternity leave rights in employment and in Social Security benefits, tax deduction for home and child care expenses for working parents, child day care centers, equal and non-gender-segregated education, equal job training opportunities and allowances for women in poverty, and the right of women to control their reproductive lives. In 1968 NOW issued a Bill of Rights, which they had adopted at their 1967 national conference, advocating the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (1972), enforcement of the prohibitions against sex discrimination in employment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, maternity leave rights in employment and in Social Security benefits, tax deduction for home and child care expenses for working parents, child day care centers, equal and non-gender-segregated education, equal job training opportunities and allowances for women in poverty, and the right of women to control their reproductive lives.

27. The organization’s Statement of Purpose in 1966. “To take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now, exercising all privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal partnership with men.” The six core issues that NOW addresses are 1) abortion and reproductive health services access, 2) violence against women, 3) constitutional equality, 4) promoting diversity/ending racism, 5) lesbian rights, and 6) economic justice, with these issues having various sub-issues. The organization’s Statement of Purpose in 1966. “To take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now, exercising all privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal partnership with men.” The six core issues that NOW addresses are 1) abortion and reproductive health services access, 2) violence against women, 3) constitutional equality, 4) promoting diversity/ending racism, 5) lesbian rights, and 6) economic justice, with these issues having various sub-issues. Women’s liberation movement The women’s liberation movement was a type of feminism that began in the late 1960s in Chicago, Il., and persisted throughout the 1970s. The ideology of radical feminism in the United States developed as a component of the women’s liberation movement. The women’s liberation movement was a type of feminism that began in the late 1960s in Chicago, Il., and persisted throughout the 1970s. The ideology of radical feminism in the United States developed as a component of the women’s liberation movement.

28. Feminist movement The feminist movement (also known as the women’s movement, women’s liberation, or feminism) refers to a series of campaigns for reforms on issues such as reproductive rights, domestic violence, maternity leave, equal pay (breaking through the “glass ceiling”), women’s suffrage, sexual harassment, & sexual violence, all of which fall under the label of feminism. The movement’s priorities vary among nations. The feminist movement (also known as the women’s movement, women’s liberation, or feminism) refers to a series of campaigns for reforms on issues such as reproductive rights, domestic violence, maternity leave, equal pay (breaking through the “glass ceiling”), women’s suffrage, sexual harassment, & sexual violence, all of which fall under the label of feminism. The movement’s priorities vary among nations. The movement began in the late-19th century and has gone through three waves. First-wave feminism  was oriented around the station of middle- or upper-class white women and involved suffrage and political equality. Second-wave feminism attempted to further combat social and cultural inequalities. Third-wave feminism includes renewed campaigning for women’s greater influence in politics. The movement began in the late-19th century and has gone through three waves. First-wave feminism  was oriented around the station of middle- or upper-class white women and involved suffrage and political equality. Second-wave feminism attempted to further combat social and cultural inequalities. Third-wave feminism includes renewed campaigning for women’s greater influence in politics.

29. The feminist movement’s agenda includes acting as a counter to the putatively patriarchal strands in the dominant culture. While differing during the progression of waves, it is a movement that has sought to challenge the political structure, power holders, and cultural beliefs or practices. Although antecedents to feminism may be found far back before the 18th century, the seeds of the modern feminist movement were planted during the late part of that century.  The feminist movement’s agenda includes acting as a counter to the putatively patriarchal strands in the dominant culture. While differing during the progression of waves, it is a movement that has sought to challenge the political structure, power holders, and cultural beliefs or practices. Although antecedents to feminism may be found far back before the 18th century, the seeds of the modern feminist movement were planted during the late part of that century.  The women who made the first efforts towards women’s suffrage came from more stable and privileged backgrounds, and were able to dedicate time and energy into making change. Initial developments for women, therefore, mainly benefited white women in the middle and upper classes.

30. Gloria Steinem Gloria Marie Steinem (born March 25, 1934) is an American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist who became nationally recognized as a leader of, and media spokeswoman for the Women’s Liberation Movement in the late 1960s and 1970s. A prominent writer and key counterculture political figure, Steinem has founded many organizations and projects and has been the recipient of many awards and honors. She was a columnist for New York magazine and co-founded Ms. magazine. In 1969, she published an article, “After Black Power, Women's Liberation,” which, along with her early support of abortion rights, catapulted her to national fame as a feminist leader. Gloria Marie Steinem (born March 25, 1934) is an American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist who became nationally recognized as a leader of, and media spokeswoman for the Women’s Liberation Movement in the late 1960s and 1970s. A prominent writer and key counterculture political figure, Steinem has founded many organizations and projects and has been the recipient of many awards and honors. She was a columnist for New York magazine and co-founded Ms. magazine. In 1969, she published an article, “After Black Power, Women's Liberation,” which, along with her early support of abortion rights, catapulted her to national fame as a feminist leader.

31. In 2005, Steinem worked alongside Jane Fonda and Robin Morgan to co-found the Women’s Media Center, an organization that works to amplify the voices of women in the media through advocacy, media and leadership training, and the creation of original content. Steinem currently serves on the board of the organization. She continues to involve herself in politics and media affairs as a commentator, writer, lecturer, and organizer, campaigning for candidates and reforms and publishing books and articles. In 2005, Steinem worked alongside Jane Fonda and Robin Morgan to co-found the Women’s Media Center, an organization that works to amplify the voices of women in the media through advocacy, media and leadership training, and the creation of original content. Steinem currently serves on the board of the organization. She continues to involve herself in politics and media affairs as a commentator, writer, lecturer, and organizer, campaigning for candidates and reforms and publishing books and articles. While Steinem would clash with both the older generation of women’s rights leaders, most prominently Betty Friedan, as well as the younger, more militant Women’s Liberation activists, she would gain a large, diverse, and multi-partisan following and become, alongside Friedan, the Women's Rights Movement’s most prominent and influential spokesperson and leader. An icon of the Feminist Movement, Steinem frequently appeared on news shows, television talk shows and specials, and on the covers of newspapers and magazines While Steinem would clash with both the older generation of women’s rights leaders, most prominently Betty Friedan, as well as the younger, more militant Women’s Liberation activists, she would gain a large, diverse, and multi-partisan following and become, alongside Friedan, the Women's Rights Movement’s most prominent and influential spokesperson and leader. An icon of the Feminist Movement, Steinem frequently appeared on news shows, television talk shows and specials, and on the covers of newspapers and magazines

32. Steinem delivered her memorable “Address to the Women of America”: “This is no simple reform. It really is a revolution. Sex and race because they are easy and visible differences have been the primary ways of organizing human beings into superior and inferior groups and into the cheap labor on which this system still depends. We are talking about a society in which there will be no roles other than those chosen or those earned. We are really talking about humanism.” Steinem delivered her memorable “Address to the Women of America”: “This is no simple reform. It really is a revolution. Sex and race because they are easy and visible differences have been the primary ways of organizing human beings into superior and inferior groups and into the cheap labor on which this system still depends. We are talking about a society in which there will be no roles other than those chosen or those earned. We are really talking about humanism.” Steinem played a variety of roles within the Women’s Action Alliance, whose initial mission was “to stimulate and assist women at the local level to organize around specific action projects aimed at eliminating concrete manifestations of economic and social discrimination.” She chaired the board from 1971–1978.

33. Fini