Evolution of Gender Equality in U.S. Law: 1848–2025
Erika Davis
Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation
College: The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology
Major: Information Technology
Faculty Research Mentor: Sarah Coykendall
Abstract:
The evolution of gender equality is a long history of fighting, suffering, succeeding, and repealing. This research will examine the evolution of gender equality in United States law from 1848 to 2025, highlighting key legal milestones, challenges, and the ongoing fight for equal rights. Starting with the Seneca Falls Convention (1848) and the early women’s suffrage movement, the study investigates the route of the 19th Amendment (1920), which granted women the right to vote, and the impact of mid-20th-century legislation, including the Equal Pay Act (1963) and Title IX (1972). The paper will also discuss key Supreme Court rulings on reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, and LGBTQ+ protections. While legal advancements have significantly improved gender equity, persistent gaps remain. These gaps contain debates surrounding gender identity, wage disparities, and reproductive autonomy. By tracing the legal trajectory of gender rights, this study underscores the progress made and the hurdles that still shape the pursuit of full gender equality in the United States.