Today in Labor History August 26, 1970: The Women's Strike for Equality celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, giving women in the U.S. the right to vote. Sponsored by the National Organization for Women (NOW), the national protest had 3 primary goals: free abortion on demand, equal opportunity in the workforce & free childcare. There were many satirical picket signs like Don't iron while the strike is hot & Hardhats for Soft Broads & We have the right to vote for the man of our choice. In Detroit, women staged a sit-in in a men's restroom protesting unequal facilities for men and women staffers. In Pittsburgh, four women threw eggs at a radio host who dared them to show their liberation. Today, 55 years later, women still only earn 85% of what men earn, for doing the same job, except for many unionized jobs, like teaching, where pay is equal across the gender spectrum. Reproductive rights have deteriorated in the last few years. And childcare is unaffordable to most low income families, and even many middle-class families.
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