Introduction
Former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary L. Schapiro (2009–2012) ranks among the highest-level female officials to have served in the federal government. Since the feminist movement began a half-century ago, women have risen to some of the nation's highest government and corporate levels. Still, career-oriented women face formidable workplace and cultural barriers. (Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)
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In the 50 years since author Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique helped spark the feminist movement, American women have made phenomenal gains. Women now comprise more than half of the U.S. workforce, earn half of college degrees and hold half of management and professional jobs. Yet relatively few have gained top executive and political leadership positions, and women still earn less than men for comparable work. Moreover, flexible work arrangements, paid family leave and other accommodations designed to relieve domestic pressures shouldered largely by women remain elusive. Some argue that women have limited their own progress in the quest for full equality — the controversial argument of a recent book by Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg. But others say persistent cultural and economic barriers are the main reasons the feminist movement remains a work in progress a half-century after it began.
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Jul. 02, 2021 |
Women in the Workplace |
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Nov. 08, 2019 |
The Gender Pay Gap |
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Oct. 27, 2017 |
Workplace Sexual Harassment |
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Jul. 26, 2013 |
Women and Work |
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Apr. 14, 2006 |
Future of Feminism |
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Apr. 04, 2003 |
Mothers' Movement |
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Sep. 25, 1992 |
Women in the Military |
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May 10, 1985 |
Women's Economic Equity |
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Jul. 10, 1981 |
Women in the Military |
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Mar. 20, 1981 |
Equal Pay Fight |
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Jul. 04, 1980 |
Women in the Executive Suite |
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Jul. 13, 1979 |
Two-Income Families |
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Feb. 18, 1977 |
Women in the Work Force |
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Feb. 13, 1957 |
Woman's Place in the Economy |
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Apr. 22, 1944 |
Women Workers After the War |
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Jan. 26, 1942 |
Women in War Work |
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Jul. 13, 1926 |
Sex Equality and Protective Laws |
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