1977 – 2001
End of the Twentieth Century
Study the experiences of women as technology, globalization, and increasingly polarized politics shaped the nation.
Key Ideas
- Women contributed to the conservative movement (and resistance to it) in the 1980s as well as the resurgence of progressive politics in the 1990s.
- Greater access to information and technology changed the daily lives of women from many different backgrounds.
- The gains of the 1970s feminist movement allowed women greater access to opportunities in education, politics, and the workplace, although these opportunities were different for women of diverse backgrounds.
- The experiences of women in this period varied widely based on race, class, age, gender identity, and geographic region.
Teaching Materials
Get Deeper into Relevant Topics
1977 - 1992
A Conservative Turn
The 1980s were defined by a political shift toward conservatism and women both were a part of this movement and pushed against it.
1991 - 2001
The Information Age
Increased access to information through new mediums and a resurgence of the feminist movement defined women’s lives in the 1990s.
Resources in this Unit
Year of the Woman
Women win a historic number of Senate seats.
Women’s Rights are Human Rights
Hillary Clinton’s speech about women’s rights.
Women in Sports
The effects of Title IX on professional women’s sports.
U.S. v. Virginia
A news article about admitting female students to a military college.
Teacher in Space
Materials from the Teacher in Space program highlight the national impact of the Challenger disaster.
Take Back the Night
A photograph and flyer documenting protests against sexual violence.
September 11
A personal object from the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Restricting Reproductive Rights
Two documents showing how the backlash against Roe v. Wade led to restrictions in abortion access.
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- 1977 - 2001
End of the Twentieth Century
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1977 - 2001End of the Twentieth Century
43 ItemsStudy the experiences of women as technology, globalization, and increasingly polarized politics shaped the nation.