American women played a prominent role in the struggle against human rights violations from the 1950s to the 1960s. Some of their contributions include:
1. Women played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement, which sought to end segregation and discrimination against African Americans. They planned and participated in protests, and other forms of direct action, as well as serving as strategists, fundraisers, and community organizers behind the scenes. Women like Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Ella Baker played critical roles in the movement's success.
2. Women were also active in the anti-war movement, which saw the Vietnam War as a violation of human rights due to a large number of civilian casualties and the use of chemical weapons. Women organized protests well as worked to support veterans and their families.
3. Some women focused on humanitarian work, working to improve conditions for people in need all over the world. Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was a tireless advocate for human rights and worked to establish the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
4. During this time, women organized themselves to demand more rights and opportunities. They advocated for, among other things, equal pay, equal access to education and employment, and reproductive rights. Leading figures in this movement included Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, and Shirley Chisholm.