What was the purpose of the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women, established by President Kennedy?

The Presidential Commission on the Status of Women, established by President Kennedy in 1961, primarily aimed to assess and improve women's rights and roles in society. This initiative was part of a broader movement during the early 1960s to enhance gender equality in the United States. The commission was tasked with evaluating the status of women, identifying barriers to their full participation in American life, and developing recommendations for policy changes that would promote equal employment opportunities, educational access, and overall social equity.

The commission's findings contributed significantly to the women's rights movement, culminating in critical developments like the Equal Pay Act of 1963. By focusing on the overall status of women rather than specific areas, the commission played a pivotal role in raising awareness of women's issues and catalyzing legislative changes that would benefit women across various sectors of society.