Equal Opportunity at Work
NWLC has long advocated for creating equal spaces for women in the workplace. Women are important contributing members to the workforce and deserve to be treated equitably.
Women Holding Protest Signs. (1982-03-06) by Freda LeinwandNational Women's Law Center
1970s
Issues like hiring discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, and sexual harassment were brought further into the limelight, and organizations like NWLC fought to hold organizations and the government accountable for gender equality.
Women Protesting Sexual Harassment (1979-10-22/1979-10-22) by Bettye LaneNational Women's Law Center
In 1976, NWLC sued the U.S. Department of Labor, which led to Congress passing the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which guaranteed a person’s right to be treated fairly in the event of pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition.
Women Protesting for Workers Rights. (1977/1977) by Bettye LaneNational Women's Law Center
This moment marked a turning point under the law because pregnancy was to be treated no differently than any other medical exemption, though many courts interpreted the law narrowly and pregnant people were still excluded from the workforce.
Military Academy Grads (1980-05-28) by Photos from Signal Corps Collection, U.S. Military Academy ArchivesNational Women's Law Center
1980s
The 1980s brought further progress for women’s equality in the workplace. Especially important were federal guidelines on sexual harassment, which was not considered a violation of Title VII until the 1980s.
Sailors (1988-02-01) by PHC Dave FrakerNational Women's Law Center
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate based on “race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.” Until 1980, sexual harassment was not legally considered a violation of Title VII.
In 1986, the issue went to the Supreme Court. NWLC participated in the case, which ended in the decision that any conduct that creates a sexually hostile work environment violates Title VII. This decision is still in place today.
Photograph of Anita Hill (1991-10-11/1991-10-11) by Peter HeimsathNational Women's Law Center
1990s
In 1991, Anita Hill’s testimony brought sexual harassment into the limelight, and a growing number of cases nationwide mandated legislative action.
With pressure from NWLC and allies, President Bush signed the Civil Rights Act of 1991 into law as an amendment to the 1964 Act.
A crucial win for marginalized workers, the Civil Rights Act of 1991 provided more avenues for victims of workplace discrimination to hold their employers accountable for damages, including for emotional distress.
Obama signing (2009-01-29/2009-01-29) by Joyce BoghosianNational Women's Law Center
2000s
In 2009, President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, an important milestone in NWLC’s campaign for pay equity.
Women Deserve Equal Pay (2019-08-26/2019-08-26) by @4percentageNational Women's Law Center
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act holds employers responsible for discriminatory pay gaps under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
Women Protesting for Equal Pay. (2017-01-21/2017-01-21) by National Women's Law CenterNational Women's Law Center
2010s
The 2010s saw unprecedented social change, and NWLC fought tirelessly for the legislation that made many of those changes possible.
Protest for Pregnant Workers (2014/2014) by Jeffrey MartinNational Women's Law Center
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, passed in 2015, closed gaps in 1978 legislation by requiring employers to make the same accommodations for pregnancy as they would for other disabilities as required by the ADA.
In recent years, NWLC has also spearheaded legislation that would benefit women in the armed forces, including increased access to contraceptives and child care and the prevention and support for survivors of sexual assault.
The Women of Wal-Mart Are Not Worthless by NWLCNational Women's Law Center
Pictured here is NWLC staff at a rally outside the Supreme Court, protesting employment discrimination against women.
NWLC Signs by NWLCNational Women's Law Center
2020s and Onward
In the 2020s, we must keep fighting to keep and expand upon the freedoms that all of us are entitled to.
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