Table Of Content Pages

I. Introduction
The Key role played by American women in the
Civil rights movement in the 1950s to 1960s 1

II. Background
Women’s challenge against sexism 22
The Black Women’s Club Movement 2

III. Body of Essay

The Civil Rights Act 3
Rosa Parks (Background & Role In C.R.M) 4
The Voting Rights Act 5
Ella Baker (Background & Role In C.R.M) 6

IV. Conclusion 7

V. Reflection 7

V. Bibliography
Websites 8
YouTube Videos 8

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 Introduction
The roles played by women in the civil rights movement was crucial and instrumental towards
the future of American history as a whole. The Civil Rights Act and the Voting Act were seen as a
victory for African Americans, both males and females, as it symbolized women specifically due
to their roles played in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Women of all backgrounds played a
crucial role in shaping the direction and success of the movement. Leaders such as Ida B. Wells
and Mary Church Terrel are an example of women who spoke out for their rights as women of
color.
The employment of various tactics and strategies implemented to challenge the racial
segregation, discrimination and inequality faced by African Americans across America, can be
viewed as effective as in the end, the battles against such behaviors were won. The Civil Rights
Movement, being a complex and unique occurrence in the United States, can be viewed upon
from multiple perspectives of diverse approaches and ideologies.
Whilst some women worked for high-profile companies and established organizations such as
the NAACP (National Association for the Advancements of Colored People), and the SCLC
(Southern Christian Leadership Conference), others formed their own organizations or worked
independently. Their efforts to lead the movement were often overshadowed by men who got
more attention and credit.
Even with their participation in the movement, they weren’t limited to any specific race, class,
or age group, which reflected on the broad spectrum of experiences and perspectives. One of
the most prominent figures in the Civil Rights Movements was Rosa Parks who sparked the
Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. Her Defiance brought national attention to the issue of racial
segregation in public transportation. In Addition to Parks, countless other women played
instrumental roles in organizing and mobilizing communities during the Civil Rights era.
Ella Barker, often referred to as the “Godmother of the Civil Rights Movement,” was an advocate
for empowerment. She was also a key organizer for the Southern Christian Leadership
Conference and later the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and also, she
emphasized the importance of people coming together to work towards a common goal which
laid the platform for many of the movement’s most successful campaigns and initiatives.
Beyond their contributions to specific campaigns and initiatives, women were also instrumental
in the sustaining of their organizational skills, fundraising efforts and behind-the-scenes work.
Women such as Dorothy Height, Diane Nash, and Septima Clark played essential roles in the
coordinating logistics, recruiting volunteers and ensuring the smooth functioning of civil rights
organizations at both local and national levels.

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Background
The following aims to explore the multifaceted roles
played by women in the civil rights movement,
highlighting their leadership, activism and enduring
impact on social justice. The Civil Rights Movement,
could not have happened without women. They were
the organizers and strategists who led the whole
movement despite it being overshadowed by men.
Women of the civil rights and black liberation front
understood and knew that they needed to fight for
their rights and the ideologies of segregation and
sexism. As far back as the 19th century, African American women fought for civil rights, resisted slavery and
spoke against racism as they formed the backbone of the modern Civil Rights Movement
Ida B. Wells challenged discrimination and sexism,
whilst exposing injustice and fighting for equality of
civil rights.
The black women’s club movement emerged in the
late 19th century, consisting of a number of local
reform organizations dedicated to racial betterment.
In 1896, Several other clubs joined to form the
National Association of Colored Women’s Club
(NACW) adopting the motto “Lifting as we climb”

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 At the forefront of the Black women’s club
movement were visionary leaders who dedicated
their lives to advancing the cause of racial justice
and equality. These founders often educated
middle-class women in their communities
challenging stereotypes and breaking down
barriers to social progress. The founders
consisted of five women who, through activism
and advocacy, empowered African American
Women to challenge the systematic racism and
discrimination.

The Civil Rights Act

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark in America’s legislation history as it aimed to end
the racial segregation and discrimination faced by African Americans. Enacted on July 2 nd, 1964,
after a lengthy and prolonged process, the Civil Rights Act marked a significant victory for the
Civil Rights Movement and represented a major step towards achieving equality and justice for
all Americans.
The Act continued to fail as Congress rejected it multiple times before its passing into law. The
United States Commission on Civil Rights was formed to investigate, report on, and make
recommandations to the president concerning civil rights issues such as Sit-ins, boycotts, and
Freedom Rides which gave attention to organizations such as the SCLC (Southern Christian
Leadership Conference) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) as they
demanded for inclusion in the political process.
This was their response to the increased legislative activity in the 1950s and 1960s. In the
1960’s, the Civil Rights Movement had been building in pressure with events such as the
Birmingham Campaign broadcasting clashes between authorities and peaceful protestors. At
that point in time, the federal government and national agenda were forced to respond and
take action.
Some of the key provisions of the Civil Rights Act Include:

 The desegregation of public facilities

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 This would prohibit any act of discrimination or segregation shown in any public
accommodation such as restaurants, hotels etc. It aimed to
ensure that all individuals had equal access to public
facilities and services regardless of their race.

 The Prohibition of discrimination in Employment

This banned any discrimination based on ones’ race, color
etc. in the workplace as employers would not be allowed to
discriminate in hiring, promotions or terms and conditions of
employment establishing the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC) which enforced the
provisions of discrimination

 The Protection of Voting Rights

Whilst the Act primarily focused on desegregation and discrimination, it laid a path for
subsequent legislation to protect voting rights paving the way for the Voting Rights Act In
1965, which aimed to eliminate barriers to voting for African Americans and other minority
groups

Rosa Parks
Rosa (Louise McCauley) Parks played an influential and crucial
role towards the Civil Rights Act being passed into Law.
She spent her early years on a small farm with her
Grandparents, Mother and Brother. It was when her
family moved to Montgomery where she schooled there

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and became a seamstress.

She later married a barber

(Raymond Park in 1932) and
the couple then joined the
Lasting for over a year, the Montgomery Bus Boycott NAACP (National
demonstrated the power of nonviolent protests. Parks’ Association for the
role as a symbol of resistance and dignity inspired Advancements of Colored
thousands of African Americans to join the boycott and People). It was then in
support each other across the country. Montgomery when she
inspired the famous Bus
The success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott not only Boycotts, defying local
led to the desegregation of Montgomery’s buses but segregation laws by refusing
also elevated Rosa Parks to the status of an Icon in the to give up her seat in to a
Civil Rights Movement. Her courageous act and white man.
commitment to justice inspired countless individuals to
join the struggle for equality and social justice

Voting Right Act

The Voters Rights Act of 1965 was also a landmark in American history as it aimed to protect the
voting rights of African Americans and other minority groups across America. While the roles of
women in shaping the Voting Rights Act may not be common amongst conversations
throughout history, they certainly played crucial roles in advocating and the advancement of the
cause. The Act was passed on the 6th of August, 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson as it
expanded on the 14th and 15 amendments by banning or not allowing any racial discrimination

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in voting practices. It was a response by African Americans who had went nearly 100 years
without voting.
The 15th amendment of March 30th,1870, was passed into law as it stated that citizen’s voting
rights could not be taken away from them based off their ethnicity, culture or race. After the
Voting Rights Act was signed into law, it failed to fully address the issues faced by African
Americans. This then led to the introduction of the 24th amendment which addressed fair voting
and barred poll taxes. It then became illegal to make anyone pay or discriminate their right to
vote.
Some of the key role’s women played in the advancement of the Voting Rights Act include:

 Urging and organizing support from various communities

People such as Fannie Lou Hamer from Mississippi and Ella Barker in North Carolina were
advocates and leaders who tirelessly challenged discriminatory practices and barriers to
voting.

 Political leadership
Elected officials and political women influenced the Voting Rights Act legislation and pushed
for its passage. The first African American to be elected to Congress was Shirley Chisholm
alongside Barbara Jordan, a fellow a Congresswomen, who both used their platforms
challenging social injustice and discriminatory voting practices

 Educational and Community outreach

Women activists and educators held campaigns and outreach efforts to inform the people
about their voting rights. Organizations like the League of Women Voters, continued to push
for voting rights and educational campaigns

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 Ella Baker
Ella Baker was an American political Activist and
organizer who was solely inspired by Montgomery Bus
Boycott. She moved to New York in search of
employment where she found many living in poverty.
In one of her early efforts, she helped with the
organization of the Young Negroes Cooperative League.
She later married T.J. Roberts in the late 1930s, and
joined the NAACP (National Association for the
Advancements of Colored People), first as a field
secretary then later a national director of the various
branches of the NAACP

Inspired by the Montgomery

Boycott, she cofounded the
organization to raise funds for
the Civil Rights Movement. She
also helped form the SCLC
(Southern Christian Leadership
Conference) to help with efforts
in the south of America

She then left the SCLC to help student leaders organize

the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
With her help, multiple campaigns were supported along
with protests, sit-ins, and marches. Emphasizing the
importance of democratic decisions and nonviolent
protests, she was also an influential force in the Civil
Rights Movement as she acquired the nickname “Fundi”
a Swahili word meaning a person who teaches a craft to
the next generation

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 Conclusion
To conclude, American women played crucial roles in the Civil Rights Movement, contributing their
voices, talents and energies to the struggle for racial equality and social justice. From visionary leaders to
women of diverse backgrounds, they all contributed to on of the most transformative periods in
American history. Recognizing their achievements not only honors their legacy but also underscores the
ongoing importance of women’s activism in the pursuit for a more equitable society.

Throughout the struggle for racial equality and social injustice, women a=of all backgrounds were
important and influential towards this huge step in the country’s history. Women like Rosa Parks and Ella
Baker mobilized communities through courageous acts and formations of organizations to help with the
desegregation, racial discrimination and sexism faced by many Americans.

Moreover, women’s contributions extend past or beyond the front lines of protests and marches to
encompass a wide range of roles and responsibilities. The impact they had on shaping ideologies, the
strategic planning and funds raised to combat civil discrimination across America left a large legacy of
empowered women who feel inspired today to work in a male dominated field.

Reflection

Bibliography
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Websites
 https://www.loc.gov/collections/civil-rights-history-project/articles-and-
essays-/women-in-the-civil-rights-movement
 https://www.nps.gov/articles/women-and-the-civil-rights-movement
 https://www.nps.gov/articles/votingrightsact
 https://www.nps.gov/articles/civilrightsact

YouTube
 https://youtube.com/watch?v=JJBQBJxLtv0&si=_CgTLS2tfWUFTOQo
 https://youtube.com/watch?v=76kS_7qanH8&si=orhWshmrU8I-DtC4
 https://youtube.com/watch?v=McneFCdHUn0&si=9wYxevP1kFRKlgl0
 https://youtube.com/watch?v=Cy2ODAB8mJs&si=A4hliYk7lXlCWu88


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