Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr Day, Voting Rights Bill and the EEOC

My 1998 Equal Opportunity Achievement Award Plaque (FDA)

Today we are celebrating the life and achievements of Martin Luther King (MLK) as a National Holiday. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors the famous American civil rights leader who dedicated his life to achieving equality for people of all colors. In today news, the MLK family is urging the passing of the Voting Rights Bill.

My personal involvement with equal rights dated way back in 1998 when I received an achievement Plaque and the FDA EEO award ( see photo above).

https://lifeinus1960present.blogspot.com/2021/08/my-awards-honors-and-scientific.html 

Today our younger generations( my grand children and yours) do not have a clear idea and historical facts of the creation and achievements of this not too well-known Federal Government Commission (EEOC). I am taking this opportunity to post a summary on the achievements of this government entity as follows:   

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a government entity created to eliminate discrimination in the workplace in the U.S. based on an employee’s race, gender, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or gender. These “immutable characteristics” have no impact on how an employee can perform their job and cannot be used as a means to discriminate. The EEOC wasn’t always around to protect employee rights, but during the 1960’s, when integration and racial issues became heated, it was obvious that certain protections were necessary.

1963

Congress passed the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA), which protected men and women from sex-based wage discrimination for performing the same job. This Act was the first national civil rights legislation that focused on employment discrimination.

Just months later, in August of 1963, almost 250,000 Americans marched in Washington, D.C. for racial equality. This was the largest protest for racial equality in U.S. history up to that time and included Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I have a dream” speech.

1964

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson and included a section (referred to as Title VII) which prohibited employment discrimination. This Act applied to private employers, labor unions and employment agencies and created the EEOC to enforce the Act.

1965

On July 2nd, the EEOC opens its doors for business. The EEOC was given a budget of $2.25 million and employed over 100 people.

1967

Congress passed the Age Discrimination Employment Act of 1967, which protected employees between 40 and 65 years old from employment discrimination. This Act protected older employees from being unfairly laid off, not receiving their earned health benefits and being overlooked for promotions. Since 1978 the Act even prohibited mandatory retirement in most business sectors.

1978

Congress amended Title VII by passing the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, which clarified that discrimination of a pregnant woman did indeed fall under the category of employment discrimination based on a person’s gender.

1990

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was signed into law. The EEOC became responsible for enforcing Title I of the ADA.  This states that private employers, government jobs, unions and employment agencies cannot discriminate against a qualified employee or applicant due to a disability. For Details visit:

https://jeffdavislawfirm.com/a-brief-history-of-the-equal-employment-opportunity-commission/