Laws and Women's Rights
Laws relating to women's rights, including laws passed and court decisions including Supreme Court decisions intepreting those laws. Includes legislation about woman suffrage (voting rights), laws about equal employment opportunity, laws about basic citizenship and property rights, and more women's rights laws.
Blackstone Law Commentaries
In the 19th century, American and British women's rights -- or lack of them -- depended heavily on the commentaries of William Blackstone which defined a married woman and man as one person under the law.
In the 19th century, American and British women's rights -- or lack of them -- depended heavily on the commentaries of William Blackstone which defined a married woman and man as one person under the law.
Comparable Worth - Women's History
Brief history and description of the concept of comparable worth: equal pay for work of equal value. From Jone Johnson Lewis.
Brief history and description of the concept of comparable worth: equal pay for work of equal value. From Jone Johnson Lewis.
Baby M - Surrogate Motherhood Decision
Surrogate mother decision: Baby M, born to Mary Beth Whitehead but adopted by her natural parents, Elizabeth and William Stern, was at the center of this controversy over parental rights and surrogacy contracts.
Surrogate mother decision: Baby M, born to Mary Beth Whitehead but adopted by her natural parents, Elizabeth and William Stern, was at the center of this controversy over parental rights and surrogacy contracts.
Comstock Law
The Comstock Law, an "Act for the Suppression of Trade in, and Circulation of, Obscene Literature and Articles for Immoral Use," was used not only to stop the trade in pornography after it was passed in 1873, but also to stop the distribution of birth control devices and written information on birth control.
The Comstock Law, an "Act for the Suppression of Trade in, and Circulation of, Obscene Literature and Articles for Immoral Use," was used not only to stop the trade in pornography after it was passed in 1873, but also to stop the distribution of birth control devices and written information on birth control.
Coverture
A definition of coverture as it applies to the history of women's property rights.
A definition of coverture as it applies to the history of women's property rights.
Curtesy
Curtesy was a legal right of a widower regarding his wife's estate.
Curtesy was a legal right of a widower regarding his wife's estate.
Dower
Dower is a legal right on the part of a widow to a share of her husband's estate.
Dower is a legal right on the part of a widow to a share of her husband's estate.
Married Women's Property Act 1848 New York State
The basics of the 1848 law granting women more rights to property after marriage.
The basics of the 1848 law granting women more rights to property after marriage.
Pennsylvania v. Addicks
In 1813, for the first time a US court decided that custody of children did not automatically rest with the father.
In 1813, for the first time a US court decided that custody of children did not automatically rest with the father.
Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson
Landmark case in sexual harassment.
Landmark case in sexual harassment.
Minor v. Happersett
In 1874, the US Supreme Court ruled that women were not entitled to voting rights, despite the protections of the Fourteenth Amendment.
In 1874, the US Supreme Court ruled that women were not entitled to voting rights, despite the protections of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Persons Case and Famous Five
A description of the Persons Case in Canada.
A description of the Persons Case in Canada.
President's Commission on the Status of Women
A history of the President's Commission on the Status of Women, 1961-1963, and its lasting effects.
A history of the President's Commission on the Status of Women, 1961-1963, and its lasting effects.
Roe v. Wade
Roe v. Wade is the historic Supreme Court decision overturning a Texas interpretation of abortion law and making abortion legal in the United States.
Roe v. Wade is the historic Supreme Court decision overturning a Texas interpretation of abortion law and making abortion legal in the United States.
Rule of Thumb and Wife-Beating
That a man was permitted to beat his wife with a switch no thicker than his thumb was a fact, though it was probably not a formal law anywhere nor stated in common law in just that form -- and was almost certainly not the origin of the phrase rule of thumb.
That a man was permitted to beat his wife with a switch no thicker than his thumb was a fact, though it was probably not a formal law anywhere nor stated in common law in just that form -- and was almost certainly not the origin of the phrase rule of thumb.
Salic Law
An explanation of Salic Law, which affected the history of several European countries and their royal lineage.
An explanation of Salic Law, which affected the history of several European countries and their royal lineage.
United States v. Susan B. Anthony - 1873
When Susan B. Anthony voted in 1871, she was arrested, tried, and convicted in this test of women's citizenship rights.
When Susan B. Anthony voted in 1871, she was arrested, tried, and convicted in this test of women's citizenship rights.
Weinberger v. Wiesenfeld
A landmark case in women's equality.
A landmark case in women's equality.
Woman and Her Wishes - 1853
Thomas Wentworth Higginson. a 19th century activist and writer, was an advocate for women's rights. In this essay, first published in 1853 and addressed to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, Higginson presents an early argument for women's rights.
Thomas Wentworth Higginson. a 19th century activist and writer, was an advocate for women's rights. In this essay, first published in 1853 and addressed to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, Higginson presents an early argument for women's rights.
Women's Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment
A history of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, as it has been applied to women's rights.
A history of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, as it has been applied to women's rights.