Women in the United States have made significant progress toward equality, but experts say there is still more to achieve. The fight for women’s rights in the U.S. gained momentum in 1848 at the Seneca Falls Convention, the first women’s rights convention in the country, where the Declaration of Sentiments was signed.

Key Milestones

The 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which gave women the right to vote, was a huge turning point. Today, women are the majority of voters, and their right to vote has shifted the focus of politicians. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act, prohibiting wage discrimination based on sex. However, disparities persist, with women being paid nearly 19% less on average than men on an hourly basis in 2025.

In 1973, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade established a constitutional right to abortion in the U.S. This right lasted for nearly 50 years until the Supreme Court overturned the case in 2022. Experts emphasize that continuing to demand progress is crucial to not losing hard-fought rights.

Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.