Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1945 1980: Women in the 1950s
Learn about the myths and realities of women's lives during the 1950s.
PBS
Pbs American Experience: Mrs. America: Women's Roles in the 1950s
Learn about the role of women in the 1950's. American society was geared toward the family and marriage and children were part of the national agenda.
George Mason University
Gmu: History and Collections: Women in the u.s. Military 1950s
Read about why the military had such a hard time recruiting women to serve in the 1950s. Find out about the unequal treatment afforded female members of the military.
Other
Constructing the Past: Shaping the American Women
This article from a history periodical looks at advertising aimed at women in the 1950s. After refuting conclusions made in a study in the 1970s that claimed that women in the 1950s were little more than domestic workers in their home,...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Post War Prosperity and Cold War Fears 1945 1960: The American Dream
Looks at the policies of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, both at home and abroad. Also examines changing gender roles in the 1950s, and the impact of suburbanization on America.
CommonLit
Common Lit: "The Women of Hidden Figures" by Jessica Mc Birney
A learning module that begins with "The Women of Hidden Figures" by Jessica McBirney, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: American Masters Collection: Lorraine Hansberry
This is a collection of eight video lessons about Lorraine Hansberry and her famous play "Raisin in the Sun."
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Discontent and Transformation
This lesson focuses on the discontent of housewives in the 1950's and the Southern Bell lawsuit for discrimination of women in the workplace. It includes a PDF lesson plan and two video clips.
CommonLit
Common Lit: "Who Is Katherine Johnson?" by Nasa
CommonLit.org is a wonderful resource to use in a Language Arts classroom. Each story or article is accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. In addition, students can click on words to see...
Other
Jewish Women's Archive: Ethel Rosenberg
A biographical account of the life of accused spies, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who were convicted of espionage, sentenced, and executed in spite of intense public pressure in response to the widespread belief that they were innocent.
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: Activism in the Us
American sociopolitical activism became especially prominent during the period of societal upheaval which began during the 1950s. The African American civil rights movement led the way, soon followed by a substantial anti-war movement...
British Library
British Library: 20th Century: An Introduction to the Bell Jar
Sarah Churchwell examines how "The Bell Jar" critiques the expectations and limitations placed on young women in the 1950s - and how these expectations and limitations have shaped the novel's reception.
Digital History
Digital History: Sources of Discontent
After World War Two, many women placed a higher priority on marriage and having a family. However, this trend changed during the 1950s and by 1960 more women were attending college, working outside of the home, marrying later, and having...
Other
Costume Gallery: 20th Century Fashion: Women Fashions: 1950s
Explore women's fashions in the 1950s. Note: Some external links may not work.
Digital History
Digital History: Margaret Chase Smith: The Conscience of the Senate
Margaret Chase Smith was the first woman elected to both houses of Congress. She was the first woman to enter the Senate without being appointed to the position. During World War II, she was the only civilian woman to go to sea in a Navy...
British Library
British Library: 20th Century Teaching Resources: Sylvia Plath's the Bell Jar
These activities will provide students with an introduction to Plath that will inform their study of "The Bell Jar". They will examine the perspectives offered by two of Plath's short autobiographical prose pieces, and will also explore...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1945 1980: The Dark Side of Suburbia
Some background information that sheds light on how suburbia wasn't paradise for everyone especially women and African Americans in the 1950s and 60s.
Digital History
Digital History: The New Woman
Although women rejoiced in gaining the right to vote in 1920, the women's movement stalled during this time. Read about the problems within the movement and opposition from outside the movement.
British Library
British Library: 20th Century Works: The Bell Jar
Sylvia Plath's only published novel, "The Bell Jar, " explores mental illness and the pressure of social expectations on women in 1950s America. Read an overview and view additional resources such as articles, collection items, and...
Curated OER
Smithsonian Institution Archives: Marguerite Stagira Wilcox
Botanist Marguerite Stagira Wilcox worked at the Bureau of Plant Industry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, from 1921 through the mid-1950s, where her research focused on fungus diseases of small fruit. She served as Secretary of the...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Althea Gibson
This entry from Encyclopedia Brittanica's Guide to Black History features Althea Gibson, an American tennis player who dominated women's competition in the late 1950s. She was the first black player to win the French (1956), Wimbledon...