🌲Washington State History Unit 8 – Social Movements & Civil Rights in WA State

Key Social Movements in WA History

• Labor movements advocated for workers' rights, fair wages, and safe working conditions in industries such as logging, fishing, and manufacturing
• Women's suffrage movement fought for women's right to vote, resulting in Washington being the fifth state to grant women voting rights in 1910
  • Key figures included Emma Smith DeVoe and May Arkwright Hutton
• Environmental movements focused on protecting Washington's natural resources, such as the establishment of Olympic National Park in 1938 and the creation of the Washington Environmental Council in 1967
• LGBTQ+ rights movement gained momentum in the 1970s, with the first Pride celebration in Seattle in 1974 and the passage of anti-discrimination laws in the following decades
• Disability rights movement advocated for accessibility, inclusion, and equal rights for people with disabilities, leading to the creation of the Washington State Independent Living Council in 1983

Major Civil Rights Issues

• Racial discrimination and segregation in housing, education, and employment affected various minority communities, including African Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans
• Redlining practices in cities like Seattle and Tacoma limited access to housing and financial services for minority communities
• Disproportionate incarceration rates and police brutality against people of color, particularly African Americans and Native Americans
• Unequal access to quality education for minority students and those from low-income families
• Discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in the workplace, housing, and public accommodations
• Lack of accessibility and accommodations for people with disabilities in public spaces, transportation, and employment

Timeline of Significant Events

• 1910: Washington becomes the fifth state to grant women the right to vote
• 1942: Executive Order 9066 leads to the internment of Japanese Americans, with over 12,000 individuals from Washington sent to camps
• 1948: The Shelley v. Kraemer Supreme Court decision outlaws racially restrictive covenants in housing
• 1956: The Washington State Board Against Discrimination is established to address discrimination in employment
• 1968: The Seattle Chapter of the Black Panther Party is founded, focusing on community empowerment and social justice
• 1972: The Washington State Legislature passes the Equal Rights Amendment, prohibiting discrimination based on sex
• 1988: The Washington State Civil Rights Act is passed, expanding protections against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations

Key Figures and Organizations

• Wing Luke, first Asian American elected to public office in the Pacific Northwest and advocate for civil rights and racial equality
• Tyree Scott, labor and civil rights activist who fought against discrimination in the construction industry
• Reverend Dr. Samuel B. McKinney, pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church and leader in the Seattle civil rights movement
• Seattle Chapter of the Black Panther Party, focused on community empowerment and social justice
• United Indians of All Tribes, organization that advocated for Native American rights and led the occupation of Fort Lawton in 1970
• Washington State Board Against Discrimination, established in 1956 to address discrimination in employment
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Washington, organization that defends and promotes civil liberties and civil rights

Legal and Political Developments

• Washington State Constitution, adopted in 1889, includes provisions for equal rights and prohibits discrimination
• 1949: Washington State Legislature passes the Fair Employment Practices Act, prohibiting discrimination in employment based on race, creed, color, or national origin
• 1957: Washington State Legislature passes the Public Accommodations Law, prohibiting discrimination in public places
• 1971: Washington State Legislature passes the Fair Housing Act, prohibiting discrimination in housing based on race, color, creed, national origin, or sex
  • Amended in 2006 to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes
• 1972: Washington State Legislature ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
• 1988: Washington State Civil Rights Act is passed, expanding protections against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations
• 2006: Washington State Legislature passes the Anderson-Murray Anti-Discrimination Law, prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity

Impact on WA Society and Culture

• Increased diversity and inclusion in Washington's communities, workplaces, and public spaces
• Greater awareness and understanding of the experiences and challenges faced by marginalized groups
• Establishment of cultural centers, museums, and events celebrating the history and contributions of diverse communities (Wing Luke Museum, Seattle Black Film Festival)
• Incorporation of civil rights and social justice topics in educational curricula and public discourse
• Ongoing efforts to address systemic inequalities and promote equity in areas such as education, healthcare, and criminal justice
• Growth of grassroots organizations and community-based initiatives to support and empower marginalized communities

Ongoing Challenges and Current Movements

• Persistent racial disparities in education, employment, housing, and criminal justice
• Addressing the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color and low-income families
• Confronting hate crimes and discrimination against Asian Americans, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Ensuring equal rights and protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, especially in light of recent national debates on transgender rights
• Addressing environmental justice issues and the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities
• Continuing efforts to reform policing practices and address systemic racism in the criminal justice system
  • Includes initiatives such as the Washington State Police Accountability Act of 2021

Connections to National Civil Rights Efforts

• Washington State activists and organizations collaborated with and drew inspiration from national civil rights movements, such as the African American civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s
• Local leaders and events in Washington contributed to the broader national discourse on civil rights and social justice
  • Example: Seattle's 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, held in solidarity with the March on Washington, D.C.
• National legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, had significant impacts on civil rights in Washington State
• Washington State's progressive policies and legal developments, such as early adoption of women's suffrage and anti-discrimination laws, served as models for other states and the nation
• Ongoing national movements, such as Black Lives Matter and the fight for LGBTQ+ equality, continue to shape and influence civil rights efforts in Washington State