One of the main messages that Cleopatra presents to society in the 1960s is women's empowerment. Although Cleopatra is portrayed differently in other films and plays, the 1963 film presents her as a leader who attempted to bridge the gap between men and women. She overthrew her brother's power and exiled him. Cleopatra wanted to be considered equal by Caesar and Antony. This reflects the feminist movement of the 1960s, when women primarily stayed at home and took care of children. On December 14, 1961, John F. Kennedy created the President's Commission on the Status of Women. Led by Eleanor Roosevelt until her death in 1962, this council had twenty members who examined equality for women in school, the workplace, and through the law. Gender-based restrictions such as work hours and wages were inspected, as were issues such as lack of education and federal insurance and tax laws that were unequal. In 1963, the PCSW released its report condemning the discrimination American women faced in society. The report ends with ways to protect women's rights. Board members wanted the Fourteenth Amendment to be fully extended to women and even though they were already entitled to this amendment, women needed it enforced. Recommendations such as equal hiring practices, salaried maternity leave and inexpensive child care were included in the report. After the publication of their final report, the Committee was abolished. Just as John F. Kennedy used his position of power to make necessary differences, so did Cleopatra. She was one of the most powerful rulers in the ancient world and the fact that she was a woman gave her a sort of control over Caesar and Antony by seducing them. She allowed Egypt to be independent to...... middle of paper ...... stabs itself. He did not die and was taken to her; she was hiding in her own grave. Antony dies on his knees and Octavian seizes the city, including Cleopatra's tomb. He wanted the pharaoh taken to Rome as a prisoner to show off his successful battles. Cleopatra urged him to know the fate of her son Caesarion, and she learned that he had also been killed. Unbeknownst to Octavius, she wrote down her final wish and asked her servants to bring her a basket of figs containing poisonous asp. She and her two servants die from the deadly creature's bites. Octavian found Cleopatra dead in a golden dress and found her last wish; be buried with Antoine. The film's epilogue reveals that Octavian fulfilled his last wish, received his warm welcome in Rome, took his new name of Augustus, and gave himself the title of Emperor of the Roman Empire with his new district ; Egypt.