Professional Documents
Culture Documents
History Task
History Task
History Task
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
IV. Conclusion 7
V. Reflection 7
V. Bibliography
Websites 8
YouTube Videos 8
0
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”
~2~
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:
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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
and became a seamstress.
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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
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:
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
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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
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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
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Bibliography
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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