The debate over the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which at first addressed only racial discrimination, included a key moment when U.S. Rep. Howard Smith, a powerful Virginia Democrat, inserted “sex” into the bill in a way that led many to believe he was trying to tank it. The gesture backfired – and the bill passed. “Women get equality on paper because of a political stunt,” says Jennifer Lawless, Commonwealth Professor of Politics at UVA.