Several women start the Westside group in Chicago after a conference of the radical left fails to take women's issues seriously. New York Radical Women is formed. For the first time, the U.S. Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional for discriminating against sex. The case was argued by Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Barbara Mikulski defeats Republican candidate Linda Chavez and becomes the first Democratic woman elected to the Senate without succeeding her husband.
Women hold a record number of positions in state as well as federal government.
Congress passes the Violence Against Women Act. Adelante Con Nuestra Vision is the first national leadership conference for Latina lesbians. Women lose five seats in the House. Seven of the eight new Republican congresswomen oppose abortion rights. In August, women across the country celebrate the 75th anniversary of women's suffrage.