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Dorothy Sue Cobble previews her book on the global history of U.S. feminism in the 20th century
Esther Peterson isn’t a household name like Susan B. Anthony or Rosa Parks, but she should be.
A one-time teacher and union organizer, Peterson served as the highest-ranking woman in John F. Kennedy’s White House and established the President’s Commission on the Status of Women. She was the driving force behind the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and an eloquent, effective advocate for expanded social security and decent, better-paying jobs for all.
In later years, Peterson became a leading voice for consumers and a staunch proponent of truth in advertising. That sell-by date on your milk and those nutrition facts on your cereal? You can thank her for those.