1900-1919 (Women)
1900
The Platt Amendment

International Ladies Garment Workers (ILGWU) is formed by the amalgamation of seven local unions.

1903
The Women’s Trade Union League

The Women’s Trade Union League, founded in 1903, becomes the first national association dedicated to organizing women workers.

1903
Mother Jones

Mary Harris Jones, nicknamed “Mother Jones” led a 125-mile march of children workers to bring the evils of child labor to the attention of the President and the national press.

1913
Ida B. Wells


Ida B.Wells arrived in Washington D.C. with 60 other black women to march with the IL delegation of the National American Women Suffrage Association. They were told to march at the end of the parade, not with the IL delegation, so as not to upset the Southern delegates. Ida B. Wells feigned agreement, then joined the IL delegation from the crowd as it passed by with the support of two white co-suffragists.

1916
National Women’s Party

Alice Paul and Lucy Burns establish the National Women’s Party to work for women’s suffrage.

1916
Jeanette Rankin

Jeanette Rankin of Montana becomes the first woman elected to congress.

1919
National Federation of Business and Professional Women

National Federation of Business and Professional Women founded. The BPW’s legislative agenda focuses on eliminating sex discrimination in employment, the principle of equal pay, and the need for a comprehensive equal rights amendment.