Abstract

This thesis argues that as access to credit became essential to participate in the economy after 1945, lenders’ discrimination against women and minority credit applicants became a denial of an economic civil right. The principle of equal access to credit as a civil right was defended and expanded by Congresswoman Lindy Boggs, who spent 17 years (1973-1990) campaigning for the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), which outlawed credit discrimination on the basis of sex, marital status, ethnicity, country of origin, age, and religion. The movement that created the ECOA was part of a broader national shift towards social and economic equality. However, because the ECOA has been covered sparingly and inaccurately, it represents an aspect of economic social justice that is rarely examined by historians.

Advisor

Roche, Jeff

Department

History

Disciplines

Business | Economics | Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | History | Law | Women's History

Keywords

Credit, Women's history, finance, lending, consumer culture, consumers, business history

Publication Date

2018

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2018 Christopher J. Perrin