Civil rights are considered the basic rights that all citizens of a society should have regardless of their race or gender. Not all individuals in the US have always had their basic civil rights protected, such as women, who didn't always have the right to vote or equal treatment under the law. It took a lot of work on the part of energized and dedicated members of our society to gain women's civil rights that were protected by the law. Women have not always had these rights protected in the US, such as the right to equal pay and the right to vote. In the 21st century, women have seen many of their civil rights continue to be challenged. On one front, women have gained the right to sue for monetary damages if they are discriminated against, but issues remain that are unfair to women. The fact that women's civil rights continue to evolve demonstrates their importance to society today.