A centuries old movement
History of DEI
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is in the DNA of the United States. Since America’s founding, we, the people, have fought for our country to live up to its promise of liberty, opportunity and prosperity for all.
The DEI movement is made up of historic moments in our nation’s history – the movements for civil rights, labor rights, gender rights, disability rights and more that have pushed for a more diverse, equitable and inclusive society.
Explore a few key moments throughout the history of the DEI movement.
1775 - 1783
American Revolution
In 1776, the Declaration of Independence famously stated that “all men are created equal” with rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The DEI movement builds on these fundamental ideals and ensures that they extend to everyone–regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and ability.
Early 1800s - 1865
Abolition Movement
The Abolition Movement aimed to end slavery and the slave trade; the movement was spearheaded by abolitionists like Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman and William Lloyd Garrison who advocated for the emancipation of enslaved people. The movement delivered the end of legalized slavery, shifting societal perceptions and laying the foundations of future civil rights movements.
July 19-20, 1848
Seneca Falls Convention
Focusing on the social, civil and religious rights of women, the Seneca Falls Convention was the first formal women’s rights convention in the United States. The convention called for equality in suffrage, property ownership, education and employment, and launched the organized women’s rights movement.
July 2, 1862
Morrill Land-Grant Acts
The Morrill Act of 1862 established land-grant colleges, increasing the number of public universities and expanding education opportunities to working classes. The Morrill Act of 1890 required states to admit students of color to existing land-grant institutions or establish colleges for Black students, leading to the creation of many historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
1865-1870
13th, 14th & 15th Amendments
The 13th Amendment (1865) abolished slavery, marking the legal end to a centuries-long system of racial oppression in the U.S. The 14th Amendment (1868) guaranteed citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States. The 15th Amendment (1870) prohibited denying the right to vote based on race, color or previous servitude.
April 9, 1866
Civil Rights Act of 1866
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was the first law in U.S. history to define citizenship and affirm that all citizens are equally protected by the law, without distinction of race or color. Though later weakened by Supreme Court decisions, it was a precursor to modern civil rights protections and remains a key moment in the history of DEI efforts.
April 20, 1871
Civil Rights Act of 1871
Also known as the Ku Klux Klan Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1871 was enacted to protect African Americans from violence and intimidation by the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups during Reconstruction. It authorized the federal government to intervene when states failed to protect citizens’ civil rights.
August 18, 1920
19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote as a result of the suffrage movement. While the amendment was a significant step toward gender equity, it primarily benefited white women, and women of color continued to face voting restrictions. Nevertheless, the amendment represents a key milestone in the ongoing struggle for gender inclusion.
March 3, 1931
Davis-Bacon and Related Acts
The Davis-Bacon Act requires that contractors and subcontractors on federal construction projects pay workers no less than the locally prevailing wages and benefits. The act was intended to prevent wage suppression, particularly for skilled laborers, many of whom were Black workers migrating to northern cities during the Great Depression.
June 25, 1938
Fair Labor Standards Act
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) established the minimum wage, overtime pay and child labor protections for workers in the U.S. It aimed to reduce exploitation in the labor market, particularly for low-income and marginalized workers. Recent amendments have since expanded the protections for workers who were predominantly people of color.
June 12, 1948
Women's Armed Services Integration Act
Women have been serving in the United States military since the Revolutionary War, but the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act enabled women to serve as full, permanent members of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. While this law was a major step forward for women in the military, it prevented them from serving in combat positions, commanding their male counterparts, and limited how many women could become officers.
July 26, 1948
Desegregating the Military
Executive Order 9981 mandated the desegregation of the U.S. military. It abolished discrimination in the armed services and ensured equality of treatment and opportunity for all without regard to race, color, religion or national origin. The order was a major milestone in the fight for civil rights for African Americans and other marginalized communities.
May 17, 1954
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas
In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that segregation of children in public schools on the basis of race was unconstitutional, overturning the “separate but equal” precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson and expanding the judicial power in advancing the civil rights movement.
Mid 1950s - Late 1960s
Civil Rights Movement
Following the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, grassroots activists and Black Americans sought to end racial segregation and secure equal rights under the law. Key events and protests such as the Montgomery Bus Boycotts, Little Rock Nine, Selma Marches, Greensboro Sit-Ins and March on Washington led to fundamental changes in American society.
1960s and 1970s
Second-Wave Feminism
In 1960, the birth control pill was approved, enabling women to have greater reproductive control. Then in 1963, Betty Friedan released her book The Feminine Mystique, exposing women’s dissatisfaction with domesticity. In 1974, Congress passed the Equal Opportunity Credit Act, which allowed women to have credit cards and loans on their own — a major step towards their financial freedom. In 1977, the Cobahee River Collective gave voice to the intersection of sexism and racism catalyzing the second wave of feminism.
1960s
Chicano Movement
Focusing on farm workers’ rights, educational reform, civic participation and community empowerment, the Chicano Movement challenged structural racism and discrimination against Mexican Americans through embracing Chicano identity, rejecting assimilation and advocating for self-determination.
July 2, 1964
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark law prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. It addressed issues of inequality in employment, education, public accommodations and voter registration. This act marked a significant turning point in the fight for civil rights and a cornerstone of DEI policies.
October 3, 1965
Immigration and Nationality Act
The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act overhauled America’s immigration system, abolishing the discriminatory national origins quota system that favored European immigrants. Prioritizing family reunification, employment-based and refugee immigration, this act led to a significant increase in immigration from Asia, Africa and Latin America.
April 11, 1965
Title I - Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was enacted to provide federal funding to schools with high percentages of low-income students. This legislation aimed to close educational gaps by improving resources for schools serving marginalized communities. Title I funding has been essential in promoting equity in education.
August 6, 1965
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Influenced by the Selma Marches, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting, primarily in Southern states where African Americans had been systematically disenfranchised. The law prohibited discriminatory practices and allowed federal oversight of voter registration in areas with a history of discrimination.
April 11, 1968
Civil Rights Act of 1968
Also known as the Fair Housing Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1968 was passed shortly after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. expanding civil rights protections to housing, prohibiting redlining, discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, and later, gender and disability.
June 28, 1969
Stonewall Riots
In the early morning of June 28, patrons of the Stonewall Inn fought back against a police raid of the popular gay bar. This uprising sparked the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, transforming the gay liberation movement from a small group of activists to a widespread protest for equal rights.
1960s and 1970s
Red Power Movement
A coalition of Native American students and community members staged an eighteen-month long occupation of Alcatraz Island to protest American Indian oppression, violation of treaties, and Indian reservation conditions, catalyzing the Red Power Movement and paving the way for other grassroots to address issues faced by American Indian groups.
June 23, 1972
Title IX - Prohibits Sex Discrimination in Education
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal assistance — instrumental in advancing gender equity in educational institutions, where it increased opportunities for women and girls. Recently, Title IX expanded its protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.
April 14, 1983
Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act
This law provides protections for migrant and seasonal agricultural workers, who are often among the most vulnerable and exploited laborers in the U.S. It ensures fair wages, safe working conditions and access to housing. By recognizing the specific needs of this workforce, it reinforces the importance of inclusion and protection for all workers.
July 26, 1990
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, public services, public accommodations and telecommunications. The ADA has been a transformative piece of legislation in promoting inclusion for people with disabilities, mandating accessibility and equal opportunities.
1990s
Third-Wave Feminism
The third wave of feminism sought to create a more inclusive movement focused on sexual empowerment, individualized expressions of womanhood, and how gender, race, class and other identities intersect to shape women’s experiences.
February 5, 1993
Family and Medical Leave Act
This act grants eligible employees the right to take unpaid, job-protected leave for family and medical reasons, such as the birth of a child, serious illness or caring for a family member. While the act is a step toward gender equity, it has been criticized for its limited scope—many low-income workers and part-time employees are not eligible.
January 29, 2009
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
The first bill signed into law by President Barack Obama, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act amends Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to allow employees to file wage discrimination claims within 180 days of each new paycheck affected by that discriminatory action, effectively putting greater pressure on employers to ensure fair pay practices.
October 28, 2009
The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
The Shepard-Byrd Act expanded the U.S. federal hate crime laws to include hate crimes motivated by a victim’s actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. The act requires the FBI to track hate crimes based on gender and gender identity, allowing policymakers to better address gender-related hate crimes.
March 23, 2010
Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act
Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a provision that prohibits discrimination in health programs or activities that receive federal funding. It bars discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. The section is particularly significant for ensuring equal access to health care services.
2013
Black Lives Matter
Underlined by the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Eric Garner, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement was a response to systemic racism, inequality and violence against Black people. Evolving from online advocacy to a nationwide movement, BLM sparked discussions and protests about anti-Black racism and police brutality in America.
December 2015
The Every Student Succeeds Act
Replacing the No Child Left Behind Act, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) governs U.S. K-12 public education policy containing a number of provisions to address inequities in schools, such as demographic data collection for different student groups, evaluation of resource inequities, and school accountability for improving student outcomes.
June 26, 2015
Obergefell v. Hodges
This case is a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision guaranteeing same-sex couples the right to marry by the Due Process Clause and the 14th Amendment. The Respect for Marriage Act (2022) further codified parts of this decision, requiring the federal government and all U.S. states and territories to recognize same-sex and interracial marriages.
2017
#MeToo Movement
The New York Times published an investigation that revealed longstanding sexual harassment allegations against media mogul Harvey Weinstein, spreading social media activism and adoption of Tarana Burke’s “Me Too” phrase. The movement expanded beyond Hollywood, sparking a societal reckoning on sexual violence and power dynamics in the workplace.
June 15, 2020
Bostock v. Clayton County
Bostock v. Clayton County is a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in which the Court held that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees against discrimination because of sexuality or gender identity. Following the decision, many employers reviewed and updated their policies to ensure compliance.
January - June 2021
Executive Orders on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
The Biden administration Executive Order 13985 focused on improving equity in federal policies and programs. Executive Order 14035 required the development of government-wide and agency-specific strategies to improve DEI and accessibility in recruitment, promotion, leadership development, workplace accessibility and anti-harassment practices.