WOMEN HAVE A RIGHT TO BE TREATED AS AN EQUAL IN ALL THINGS, AND IN ALL PLACES, AND AT ALL TIMES .
The 20th century has greatly furthered the progress for women in the United States. It is staggering to think that 100 years ago, women in the United States had little rights. They could not vote, most higher educational institutions excluded them, and opportunities for work outside the home were limited. Ending the 20th century, American women have gained the right to vote, have flown in space, are winning gold medals in the Olympics, are serving in the military, and are recognized leaders almost everywhere in government and industry. However, this commendable record of advancement, except the right to vote, is obtained by only a few women. Most are still marred by the glass ceiling, unequal pay scales, and many vestiges of the old order.
Dramatic social and legal changes in regards to women's rights have been accomplished and are so accepted that they go unnoticed by people whose lives they have changed. Many people who have lived through the recent decades of this process have come to accept what has transpired and young people, for the most part, can hardly believe life was ever otherwise. .
Like many amazing stories, the history of the women Rights Movement began with a small group of people questioning why human lives were being unfairly constricted. Margaret Mead, reflecting back on the women's movement said "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." (Eisenberg, 1).
The Women's rights movement began on July 13, 1848, in upstate New York at a tea party attended by a few women. The course of the conversation turned to the situation of women. Instead of just talking about it, these women decided to take action. Within two days after the tea party, these women made arrangements to hold a convention to discuss the social, civil, and religious conditions and rights of women.