Esther Peterson

Following the incredible time of gender degradation that was present during the majority of the 1950’s a new wave of women began to fight for women’s individual opportunities. One person who is shown here is Esther Peterson. Esther Peterson was a daughter of danish immigrants and was not only renowned for being the Assistant Secretary of Labor and Director of the United States Women’s Bureau under the Kennedy administration, but also a significant contributor toward improving labor standards of women. As a result of her relentlessness towards fair labor laws for women came the Equal Pay Act of 1963. This allowed there to be less of a wage gap between men and women which was an incredible accomplishment for women during this time period.

Rosa Parks

The 1960’s and 1970’s was not only a revolutionary time for white women but also African American women as well. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People that was created in 1909 and is also found to be a bi-racial civil rights organization.The incredible photograph shows Rosa Parks receiving a reward at a NAACP meeting on June 5, 1964. The image was taken in order to provide recognition for Rosa Park’s amazing contribution to an important gathering of members of the NAACP during this era. Rosa Parks although seen for her famous bus boycott, represented how women during this time whether black or white were tremendously courageous towards the fight for racial and gender equality.

Muriel Siebert

The years of the 1960’s and 1970’s was a revolutionary time for many American women once again as it was during WWII many women were found in male dominant job roles. One individual included here is Muriel Siebert who is said to be the first ever women to work in finance. Muriel Siebert was was raised in a Jewish family in Cleveland Ohio and was found to have a seat on the NYSE on December 28, 1967. It was women like this who proved society that particular male dominant job roles were meant not for men but rather anyone who was willing to push themselves to achieve.

Battle of the Sexes

As seen in the image here which includes two influential people is Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. The photograph was taken in New York City on July 11, 1973 a year after Congress passed Title IX, two of the biggest Tennis names during this time. Billie Jean King who was 29 years old and the number one professional women’s tennis player at the time along with Bobby Riggs who was 55 years old at the time and was known for winning the wimbledon in 1939 and then the US national championships which is now known as the US Open in 1941. Although there were many social movements regarding women during this time frame for a sense of individuality both these individuals decided to perform an exhibition match which is now known as the Battle of the Sexes. The match occurred on September 20, 1973 in the Houston Astrodome where Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in three sets. This was not only a pivotal moment for women’s tennis at the time but for women individuality as well.