Nine Legal Barriers Women Faced in 1971, From Credit Cards to Combat Roles

In 1971, American women lacked numerous rights now taken for granted. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 finally allowed married women to obtain credit cards without a husband's signature, though single women often needed a male co-signer. Women could be fired for pregnancy until the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, which contained significant loopholes. States could constitutionally deny women jury duty until a 1975 Supreme Court ruling. The Pentagon's direct combat exclusion rule, barring women from infantry and armor roles, wasn't rescinded until 2013 by then-Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and General Martin Dempsey. Elite colleges like Columbia College didn't admit women until 1983, following other Ivies such as Harvard (1977) and Yale (1969). Workplace sexual harassment wasn't legally actionable until 1977 under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, with Anita Hill's 1991 testimony against Clarence Thomas becoming a landmark event. Spousal rape wasn't outlawed in all 50 states until 1993. The Supreme Court legalized birth control for all citizens regardless of marital status in 1972, though states could still punish extramarital sex. Health insurance plans could charge women higher premiums until the 2010 Affordable Care Act prohibited it for new plans. These historical restrictions, verified by Snopes, were highlighted by Twitter user Robyn alongside Helen Reddy's 1971 anthem "I Am Woman."