The 1970s was an impactful decade for women’s striving for equality in the United States. Beyond the news headlines of ERA, NOW, and Roe vs. Wade, more women entered the workforce, enrolled in colleges, and took the spotlight in business, politics, and professional sports. The topic of gender discrimination was in the forefront, and with it, strong and diverse viewpoints on the path forward. Minnesota was no exception, and this collection represents some of the views and ways of life for women in this tumultuous decade.
February 27, 1974 - MPR’s Gary Eichten reports on caucus results in relation to abortion rights debate.
March 1, 1974 - Mother of Dennis Banks says a prayer on behalf of the women of Wounded Knee.
March 7, 1974 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on rally sponsored by the Coalition for Child Care, held to call attention to need for childcare for students and university workers.
April 18, 1974 - Patricia Tollefson, president of Minnesotans against Equal Rights Amendment, comments on her opposition to the Minnesota State Board of Education Sex Task Force recommendations on sex discrimination in schools.
June 6, 1974 - MPR’s Conie Goldman reports on The Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), which recently organized to promote equity for women in the workplace. At their first conference, 58 unions of rank and file female workers participated.
June 6, 1974 - MPR’s Dulcie Lawrence interviews Carolyn Ring, Republican candidate for District 37A state representative seat.
June 7, 1974 - Gloria Steinem talks about study of children 3 and 4 years old to determine how young children are when they're socialized into gender roles. The contrast of boys? And girls? Answers indicates societal roles and restrictions.
June 10, 1974 - Kathy Garvey, a 5th grade teacher from Anoka, asked her 11-year-old students to write down their concept of the role of women. Garvey shares some of the responses and the stereotypes reflected, even at a young age.
June 14, 1974 - MPR’s Dulcie Lawrence reports on Gloria Steinem speaking at the Loring Park celebration of local women’s caucus.
July 19, 1974 - A recap of a women's mini-college program held at Fergus Falls Community College on women searching for self, sponsored in part by the Minnesota Humanities Commission and the AAUW.