Mid-Century to Modern — Joy H Selak PhD

While writing my memoir, From Mid-Century to Modern: One Woman’s Journey from Schoolteacher to Stockbroker, I did a lot of research on the decades when I was growing up. During those years, from the 1950’s to the turn of the century, there were massive legal and social changes for American women, changes we may now take for granted. But with the right to legal abortion being challenged in our country, this is a time to reflect on all we have gained, and what we could lose—If those who wish to see women as lesser gain more control.

To begin, the birth control pill was approved by the FDA in 1965, giving women the freedom to pursue careers, plan families and avoid forced marriage. This was followed by the Vietnam war years when many young men either enlisted or were drafted into service. Women, left on their own, became more self-sufficient and independent during these times and often were unwilling to return to traditional roles when the men came home. Between 1975-1988, in American families with children, it was the wife who filed for divorce in approximately 2/3 of cases.

In 1968, with the passage of The Fair Housing Act, a woman could buy or rent a home in her own name. Just 13 years later, there were more single women homeowners than men.
Until the passage of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act in 1974, a woman could not have a checking account or credit card. Only joint accounts with males were allowed.
Prestigious Ivy League schools like Yale and Princeton didn’t accept female students until 1969. Harvard didn’t admit women until 1977.
Until 1978, a woman could be fired from her job for being pregnant.
And it wasn’t until 1988 that a woman was legally allowed to start her own business.

We’d best pay attention, stay strong and stick together during these times, lest we go backwards.