CATCHING THE WAVE

Photographs of the Women’s Movement by Bettye Lane and Freda Leinwand

Exhibits

Abortion rights (anti and pro)

Lane and Leinwand captured images of both the anti- and pro-choice movements. Explore the visual history of the debate through these photographs. Most of the events take place in New York City with images that include many Schlesinger Library collection subjects, namely: National Organization for Women, Mildred Jefferson, and Bill Baird.

Buttons, signs & slogans

The handmade signs carried during marches, demonstrations and conventions were integral to the success of the movement. While some express very personal issues or opinions, others were scripted by the cause. Buttons were an inexpensive way to spread slogans and allow supporters to display their views.

Compare similar images by Lane and Leinwand

Even a casual look at the images in these two collections reveals how often Lane and Leinwand were not only at the same events but standing nearly in the same spots recording enduring images from just slightly different angles. Capturing and framing the picture with their own unique viewpoints.

Diversity and inclusiveness in the Women's Movement

Many of the images in this exhibit include causes and themes important to women of all races and ethnicities but these photographs largely depict issues unique to women of color, many issues which are very relevant today, including police brutality and racism. Issues of racial inequality within the movement itself are also depicted.

Worker's Rights & Economic Equality

Discrimination and sexism were common in the work place. Classified ads were separated by sex and equal access to credit and banking was a long-fought battle. These images document protests and actions against sexual discrimination, equal pay for equal work, union activism, minority rights and affirmative action. The records of Boston N.O.W., 9 to 5, National Organization for Women, NOW Legal Defense & Education Fund, and, Women's Equity Action League, document these struggles, as do the papers of many individuals in the Schlesinger Library collections.

ERA (pro and anti)

The Equal Rights Amendment was first introduced to Congress in 1923 by Alice Paul and Crystal Eastman. In the 1980s, NOW took it up as one of their main causes of action. Nearly every NOW march or event documented in these photographs, whether it was for equal access to healthcare or elderly rights, included support for the ERA. Phyllis Schlafly was the most outspoken and well-known opponent of the ERA and is often credited with its defeat. Lane and Leinwand, while staunch believers in the ERA, documented both sides of the debate, which is still being debated in congress to this day.

Gay Rights

As we look at these images today, some forty odd years later, we reflect on how much has changed. Gay marriage is legal in a plurality of states, something many of the activists in these images could only have dreamed of, and yet we are pulled up short by acts of extreme violence and hate still being perpetrated against gay individuals and communities.

Elder Rights

The Gray Panthers and other grassroots organizations address the issues surrounding ageism, including inequality in hiring practices, protecting access to medicaid, medicare, and social security, and economic concerns regarding rent and other cost increases. Also included here is a portrait of Isola Dubic, a suffragist supporting the modern women's movement.

Sports

Prior to the women's movement and the implementation of Title IX, access to sports was limited. Included here are portraits of athletes, both amateur and professional, who broke boundaries and inspired young girls to pursue their own athletic dreams.

Violence Against Women

The modern women's movement began to draw attention to violenece against. These images depict protest marches, vigils and victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The events they document and the photographs themselves brought great awareness to the issues. Behind the scenes, grassroots organizations began providing services in the form of temporary shelters, hotline support, counseling, education and legal representation.

Politics

Before Hillary Clinton, there was Shirley Chisolm. These images include women running for political office and their supporters. Women have been involved in the political realm long before the passage of the 19th amendment. These images highlight the activities of political activists, whether seeking office, or supporting a political cause.

Women's Strike for Equality

Betty Friedan posed the challenge and the National Organization for Women took up the call and organized the Women's Strike for Equality. Thousands of people gathered for the march down 5th Avenue in New York City and assembled in Bryant Park to hear speeches by Friedan, Gloria Steinem, Bella Abzug and others. Friedan encouraged women to go on