The Modern Struggle

The above picture is from the University of Kentucky's Association of Women Students booklet, which was distrubuted to all incoming female freshman at the university. The caption above reads "President Oswald congratulates the new President and Vice-President (a woman!) of Student Congress." Clearly, in 1966 when this picture was taken, women in leadership positions was still a rare sight.

While women at UK found themselves with access to more opportunities in the late 20th century than in earlier years, many barriers and obstacles remained in the way of true equality.

Despite the advance of the national Civil Rights Movement and national protests for gender equality, UK coeds had to continue their fight for equality throughout the 20th century.  This fight is especially seen in the arena of access to education and sport, disparity in equal pay, and the right to be protected from discrimination and harassment.

During these tumultuous decades, American women were confronted with many questions regarding equality and change. To be considered equals, should women be like men? Should they act, look, and dress like men in order to be treated as equals?  Could women remain feminine and still demand equality with men? Could there be a compromise? What should that compromise look like?  These questions still haunt women today. This exhibit looks at how women of the past grappled with these still-pertinent questions.