The twentieth century is widely remembered as a period of momentous progress in America’s societal infrastructure. However, the process of fostering legislation that would establish change in social equality came with significant struggle. In the early twentieth century, an abundance of social groups organized civil rights movements to challenge the elitist principles that existed for much of America’s history. It was during this time that African Americans and women, two large portions of the United States’ population, initiated movements that aimed to bring an end to discrimination on the basis of race and gender. Although they faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles, activists such as Pauli Murray strived to obtain the equality that these factions so desperately sought after. As she navigated life in the twentieth century, Pauli Murray’s intersecting identities of race and gender not only affected her experiences in education and practicing law, but also influenced her to pursue the pivotal change of America’s social structure. Albeit Pauli Murray was…show more content… Although she did experience the barriers associated with being a double minority at the Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton, and Garrison law firm, it also strengthened her character. In a reflection of her experiences at this firm, Murray stated, “I carried with me the assurance of having been tested by the most exacting standards of the legal profession, an experience that enabled me to face new challenges with greater self confidence.” With this new strength in character, Murray directed her attention towards making a tangible change in equal rights legislations. Her efforts in the litigation of the 14th amendment were crucial in fostering Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which regarded equal employment opportunities for