The growing women's movement in the US was frustrated by the failure of sufficient states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment Act. Which leading US feminist frequently made the remark: 'A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle'.

The 1970s saw some progress in achieving equal rights for African Americans, after the campaigns and legislation of the 1960s. Following their example other groups in the USA began to find their voices. Native Americans, Hispanics, women and homosexuals all called for their own civil rights.