The 1970s Native American WOMEN

Presenter: Sandy Garcia

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Academic Year: 19-20

Semester: Spring

Department: Native American Studies

Funding Source/Sponsor: SYRCE Symposium

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ywkJ6Vv8GuqJcxZZaDaPSU_R5kP40oTm

Abstract:
Women throughout history have been in a constant battle that is fighting for equality, basic rights, and a voice in our society. Although there have been multiple feminist movements that have successfully achieved some of the many basic rights that men in our society are easily given, not every woman benefits from historical movements we have witnessed. Women of color are consistently left behind or simply excluded from reaping the fruits of feminist movements that claim to fight for all women. Minorities such as Latinos and Native Americans are especially excluded from movements in this era who claim to fight for all women but do not take the time or put in the effort to ask women of color what they want or need from the movement. It is important to note the uselessness of the feminist movement for women of color, especially Native American women, amongst white privileged feminists who are only bringing more harm and work for women of color. This poster is created with the same electricity that made the 1970s so memorable yet is only a piece of important historical events that have created the history of Native American women. Images of Native American women in the 1970s are included in the poster, along with paintings and photographs that were taken of women in action fighting for their rights. One of the most significant historical events in the history of Native American women is the forced sterilization period. Through activism, strength, power, education, and resilience Native American women were able to preserve through this traumatic event and continue to write their legacy into our present-day society.