African American women’s struggle for freedom is a result of a long-lasting quest for civil rights that was very influential in American political life. The March for freedom of 1963 was recognized as the men’s event, and many women, including Anna Hedgeman, claimed that women’s rights also need to be addressed.
Since the adoption of the Voting Rights Act in 1965, African American inclusion in the political life of the USA became a relevant and impactful issue. The participation of women in the quest for universal freedom was a decisive and inevitable moment. Since the rights for which women fought, and still the fight arise on the collision of the dimensions of gender and race, the demands of African American women were complex. On the one hand, the inequality between men and women was proclaimed as the issue. On the other hand, the racial discrimination of black people in America was regarded as a severe violation of basic human rights.
Another significant episode of the quest was the intensification of the black women’s liberation movement in the 1970s. The ideas prevalent for this group included freedom in the spheres of education, health care, workplaces, and other significant spheres in which African Americans encountered severe rights limitations. Clark, Nash, Height, Baker and many other women were activists in the movement for freedom. Their dedication and progressive thinking enhanced liberation processes and influenced the political life of America since the second half of the twentieth century. Different minority coalitions and organizations were formed under the influence of these women to make social and political changes. There were non-profit centers and committees opened to spread the ideas and help the black minority representatives who were discriminated against. Some of the organizations and movements were the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the Black Panther Party, and others. Significant white majority opposition was the obstacle that the movement encountered.
The shift in the political life of America in the 1960-s marked by the March for Freedom in 1963 led to the consecutive events that finally got the title of African American women’s quest for universal freedom. The work of many prominent women has given a beginning to the effective change in the US legislature. Now, African American women of the USA continue the work that started over 50 years ago and search for liberation and equality.