This resource addresses the experiences and challenges of women in American history. It focuses on the choices and leadership of particular women - both famous and ordinary - when confronting and dealing with inequality, subordination, and marginalization and seeking change. The documents and court cases in this resource not only illuminate larger issues concerning women’s experience, but also provide specific examples and context for understanding the experiences, and opportunities for women in U.S. history.   American women have experienced subordination and inequality deeply rooted in social, economic, legal & psychological practices. Although women have achieved major advances in the last 50 years, attitudes, practices, and structures reinforcing women’s inequality persist. This anthology provides an  array of materials covering the  experiences & accomplishments of American women using over 30 links, including a number that are significant compilations, such as the women included in the National Women’s Hall Of Fame. 

The rights, roles, and status of women in American society have been reflected in legal, economic, social, moral, and psychological structures that, in general, have historically subordinated all women. These deep roots go back many centuries of Anglo-American law and continue to affect the ways that society subordinates women through attitudes, social practices, and laws. Although major changes have taken place in the last 50 years, attitudes and structures reinforcing women’s inequality persist. This module focuses on the experiences of women and the challenges they faced in American history. It focuses on the choices and leadership of particular women - both famous and ordinary - when confronting and dealing with inequality, subordination, and marginalization and seeking change. The documents and court cases in this module not only illuminate larger issues concerning women’s experience, but also provide specific examples and context for understanding the experiences, rights, status, and opportunities for women in U.S. history.    

In this edition, lawyer and human rights activist Alice Karekezi joins UC Berkeley's Harry Kreisler to reflect on the plight of women in Rwanda and the importance of making their struggle part of the human rights agenda. (60 min)

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi for a discussion of her remarkable odyssey as a human rights lawyer in Iran under the rule of the mullahs. She discusses the effects of revolutionary change in Iran, on her career as a lawyer, her role as a mother, and her work as an advocate and crusader for the rights of children, women, and victims of political oppression and religious intolerance. The interview was conducted in English and Farsi. The interpreter is Banafsheh Keynoush. (54 min)

In this edition, historian Ruth Rosen talks with UC Berkeley's Harry Kreisler about the evolution of the women's movement and its impact on future generations of women. (55 min)

Conversations Host Harry Kreisler welcomes philosopher Martha Nussbaum for a discussion of women and human development, religious freedom, and liberal education. (55 min)

The heritage of women represents one-half of the history of the United States; for that reason alone it is worthy of closer scrutiny than it has received in standard history courses. The movement of women for social, political, and economic equality represents the longest and most far-reaching civil rights movement in U.S. history, yet it is a movement that has received minimal space and attention in standard history courses. This class is an attempt to bring to the foreground a history that we all share but perhaps have until now lacked the opportunity or information to focus on. It is a history that I find both maddening and inspiring, and one whose study is challenging, difficult, and ultimately so rewarding that it is worth every bit of effort, and then some.