Progressive Era Women

Looking back on the Progressive Era, we see many women activists and their roles in the fight for women’s rights. With the arrival of a new century also came many changes. Society was adjusting to industrialization, urbanization, a growing and powerful economy, and, of course, immigration. As a result of these changes, many people became fearful that traditional values would change as well. Progressive Reform in America began in the late nineteenth century, and an expanding job market as well as changes to the American lifestyle lead to women’s want for change in their public roles. Women activists began fighting for issues such as more opportunities for education and jobs, health advancements, and of course, voting rights. In doing so, women made great advancements in suffrage during the Progressive Era, and without a doubt, changed the nation for the better.

The Gilded Age and the Progressive Era were times of great change for women in the United States, and women entered into a new standard of living. As times progressed and new advances were made in both society and technology, people had to learn how to adapt to those changes while still being an asset and following societal rules. The purpose of this paper is to acknowledge the reformations and changes brought to people and society by women during the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era. Regardless of where women may have moved to and lived during these times of expansion and industry, women were determined to not revert back to the roles they had been put in for so long. The purpose of these changes and new roles was to advance society and make everyone equal, but not every woman accepted the changes given to them or received the same kind of treatment due to various differences. Ultimately, the reformations made by women during this time would shape future movements fighting for the same cause.

“The Yellow Wall-paper” is an amazing story that demonstrates how close-minded the world was a little over a hundred years ago. In the late eighteen hundreds, women were seen as personal objects that are not capable of making a mark in the world. If a woman did prove to be a strong intellectual person and had a promising future, they were shut out from society. Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote her stories from experience, but added fictional twists along the way to make her stories interesting.

Women played very important roles during the Progressive Era. They were instrumental in decreasing the workday to eight hours per day. Due to the Maternalist Reforms, which were Progressive Era reforms that sought to encourage women’s child-bearing and rearing abilities and to promote their economic independence was decided in the landmark case of Muller v. Oregon in which scientific and sociological studies were used to demonstrate that long hours of labor were dangerous for women. Women began to work outside the home. Women were instrumental in helping create a better and more civilized society by establishing Settlement Houses, and by fighting for social reform.

In the 1890s, American women emerged as a major force for social reform. Millions joined civic organizations and extended their roles from domestic duties to concerns about their communities and environments. These years, between 1890 and 1920, were a time of many social changes that later became known as the Progressive Era. In this time era, millions of Americans organized associations to come up with solutions to the many problems that society was facing, and many of these problems were staring American women right in the face.

is routine work, little glory, and low pay, men prove willing to admit women to equal share in the spoils office ”. Once they gained more political influence, women were eager “to continue the reforms of the Progressive era” . Called by the scholars as “maternalistic” approach, women sought to improve the conditions of poor women and children. They lobbied with a success for “education and industrial reform, wage and hour laws for working women, a wide range of child health problems on the state level, as well as a broad extension of women’s legal rights” .

In this paper I plan to discuss six events/movements in which I feel played a significant role in the advancement of women in America’s history. Three events from 1865-1920, and three events from 1920 – present.

In the 20th century, the Progressive Era was the age where people tried to solve social problems through individual and group action. This period concentrated on the problems people were experiencing in society and how they can use government power to bring about this change. To advocate for freedom and justice for all people was what social reformers fought so hard for, even risking their own lives by going to jail. Women like Charlotte Gilmen, and Margaret Sanger pushed for change so that women were able to experience the freedom and independence in society. Other reformers like muckrakers played a key role in exposing the harsh realities the American people have been facing for so many years with no economic help. With the help of women

A Woman’s Struggle In the United States, during the early part of the twentieth century, the world was going through a huge business expansion and progressive era. The Progressive Era was a time where “the progressives” worked to make American society a better place to settle in. The Americans during this time also wanted to provide a democratic society, by allowing women the right to vote in elections. During the Progressive Era, women were taking professions as nurses, teachers, libraries, clerical workers, etc.

Throughout history, women have been viewed differently from men. In the 1880’s and before, women were in charge of making a happy home, her job above all was to make sure her husband was happy. Around, the 1910’s women began fighting for their right to vote and to be viewed as an equal to the janitor that works for them. Still, to this day, women and girls are fighting to be viewed as an equal and respected as men and boys are in our society.

The Progressive Era was one of the most important periods in history and was marked by vast changes in both the social and political landscapes. One of the most notable movements of this time was the women’s rights movement. During this movement women wanted to play more of a role in society, but were held back by the responsibilities of taking care of the home and raising their children. Also, women were expected to put their husband’s needs above their own and therefore were not able to obtain personal or economic independence. During this era, women began to challenge traditional gender roles that were set by society and feminism was born in the United States.

During the early 1800's women were stuck in the Cult of Domesticity. Women had been issued roles as the moral keepers for societies as well as the nonworking house-wives for families. Also, women were considered unequal to their male companions legally and socially. However, women’s efforts during the 1800’s were effective in challenging traditional intellectual, social, economical, and political attitudes about a women’s place in society.

During the early 1800’s, the rights of men were still deemed more important than the rights of women. This issue was finally brought into discussion in the late 1800’s, where women now started to fight for their rights. This time period also brought around the start of feminism. The fact that Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s story, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” is a feminine story to make a statement about men controlling women is shown through three main points: what the woman sees in the yellow wallpaper, how the husband treats the woman, and also through the narrator herself.

Society’s influence of male domination over women's bodies, minds and economy force women to adhere to a male view. Women during this time period were directed to become exceptional housewives and mothers instead of reaching for specific careers or financial independency. Instead, society encouraged women into becoming domestic, obedient housewives who were discouraged to go against their husbands, brothers or any male. Women were to obey men and their requests, or suffer the consequences of isolation or ostracized by other

The Gilded age was a time of economic growth as the United States rapidly jumped to the lead in industrialization, ahead of Britain. The nation was expanding/increasing its economy into new areas, specifically heavy industry factories, such as railroads and coal mining. The Progressive Era was a period of widespread social activism and political reform all throughout the United States. The main goals of the Progressive Movement were eliminating issues caused by industrialization, immigration, urbanization, and corruption in government. Many individuals who supported the Progressive Movement ideals of prohibiting alcoholic beverages, ultimately targeting the political power of high end bosses. At the same time, women’s suffrage was a theme that was highly influential during the Progressive Era because they were defending their rights to vote. The main problem was the women were not equally seen as smart, influential individuals who should play a part in making decisions for the country. Two of the women who primarily helped/contributed to the passing of the 19th amendment/birth control were Alice Paul and Margaret Sanger. Although these two women were fighting for the same objectives (women’s rights), they had different methods of completing and accomplishing their goal.