The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Women

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it illegal to discriminate against women in the workplace.

The Civil Rights Act was enacted in 1964 and is considered a landmark piece of legislation. The act eliminated racial segregation in schools and discrimination in the workplace and by public facilities. The act affected women as well as minorities.

History

The original civil rights bill did not include forbidding discrimination on the basis of sex. Representative Howard W. Smith, a Democrat from Virginia, added the word "sex" at the last moment. Some argued that Smith added the word so the bill would not succeed. But Smith argued that he amended the bill in his support of Alice Paul and the National Women's Party.

Significance

The act makes it unlawful for any employer to discriminate due to an individual's race, color, religion, sex or national origin. This includes an employer's refusal or failure to hire, terminate employment or discriminate using compensation, conditions or benefits. In the final bill, sex was allowed to be a consideration when it is a legitimate qualification for the job.

Enforcement

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces the discrimination laws enacted by the Civil Rights Act. Race, color, sex, creed and age are protected classes, and an employer cannot discriminate based on a protected class. If employees feel they are being unfairly discriminated against, they may file a complaint with the EEOC.

References

• Archives: The Civil Rights Act of 1964