About This Lesson
On April 26, 1969, Assemblywoman March Fong Eu took a dramatic stand against gender inequality by smashing a porcelain toilet with a sledgehammer on the steps of the California State Capitol. Her protest called attention to the unfair “pay toilet” fees that disproportionately impacted women. In this lesson, students will learn about Eu’s groundbreaking career as the daughter of Chinese immigrants, a state legislator, and a U.S. diplomat—and how one bold act helped challenge everyday inequality.
