Equal Pay Act of 1963
In 1942, Republican congresswoman Winifred C. Stanley from Buffalo, N.Y. introduced H.R. 5056, Prohibiting Discrimination in Pay on Account of Sex, which did not pass at the time. The issue languished until 10 June 1963, when Congress passed the Equal Pay Act ("EPA" or the "Act") as an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act, to "prohibit discrimination on account of sex in the payment of wages by employers."
Women in the United States labor force from 1945 to 1950
Before World War II, there existed persistent and systematic discrimination against women workers. This includes bars to married women working in most states. During the high unemployment of the Great Depression many thought men should have preference, because that way there can be at least one provider for every family. The U.S. culture determined that women gain employment before marriage, but upon marriage, to dedicate themselves to their main duty - in maintaining the family home. The important anti-discrimination legislation Equal Pay Act of 1963 would not be passed until 1963. In 1940, 28% of women over 14 participated in the labor force while men over the age of 10 had a 96% workforce participation rate.