Women During The Progressive Era

In the 1880’s immigration began to increase, over running the original Ellis Island by the 90’s. 4 million people settle into New York City, less than 1 in 50 people were turned away. Many of these newcomers where women, who would face different issues than the men arrive off of the massive ships. Many different things would be expected of them, such as; working to support families, raising children, keeping the home clean and presentable, shopping, and cooking- to name a few. Some of the biggest, most universal, issues for immigrant woman were; the want to assimilate, the lack of independence,

Thanks to Coco Chanel, the iconic flapper image most closely associated with the roaring twenties came about. The flapper and flapper image didn’t actually come to be until around 1926 and even then was only in style for about three years. Typical flappers were women who appeared to have a bold attitude and were independent women who didn’t adhere to the previously innocent housewife image. A flapper usually had a bob haircut, a shorter than average dress, a flat chest, wore tons of make-up, drank illegal alcohol, smoked with a long cigarette holder, exposed her limbs and danced the Charleston. This was a drastic change from the typical American housewife to the reckless rebel. The flapper dresses stressed above the knee hemlines and construed straight, sleek shapes. This was the first time in centuries women’s legs were being seen in a garment. (1920s Fashion 1) Flappers loved to jazz up their costume and even their image. Many flappers’ dresses were adorned with jewels and intricate beading. The main object of the flapper image was to appear almost boyish rather than looking feminine. (1920s clothing 1)

During the Progressive Era, many citizens attempted to stop the racism within former confederate states by exposing the horrors of the wrongdoings, through speeches, protests, literature and other means of expression, who were known as progressives. One progressive, Ida B. Wells. helped to expose lynchings and racial discrimination through the use of bold and clear literature. Another, Booker T. Washington, believed that blacks should become more economically independent, so that discrimination will eventually cease. W.E.B. Dubois, another progressive, wanted and expressed instant racial equality through the use of forming groups and classic literature.

The flapper had an indisputable look. The long locks of Victorian women fell on the floors of beauty parlors as young women cut their hair to shoulder length. Hemlines of dresses rose fiercely to the knee. The cosmetics industry prospered as women used makeup in large numbers. Flappers constrained their chests and wore high heels. Many women celebrated the age of the flapper as a female “declaration of independence”. Experimentation with new looks, jobs, and lifestyles was incomparable with the woman in the Victorian Age. The flappers chose activities to please themselves, not a father or husband. But critics were quick to elucidate the shortcomings of “flapperism.” The political agenda grasped by the previous generation was largely ignored until the feminist revival of the 1960s. Many wondered if flappers were trying to express themselves or act like men. One thing was certain: Despite the political and social gains or losses, the flappers of the 1920s sure managed to have a good time.

Throughout the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, gender roles began to change as women became active participants in American society. For instance, women became active in expressing their views against alcohol and pushed for the prohibition and temperance. Organizations such as The Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), argued that alcohol led to societal problems. Male and female reformers banned together to argue that alcohol was immoral and causing a negative impact on women. Women, if married, would experience an abusive, violent drunk husband who neglected his family and gambled his money away. Thus, the evils of alcohol became part of the progressive agenda that eventually led to the passage of the 18th amendment. Along with prohibition, women also took active roles in acquiring suffrage. In “The Politics of Good Government,” Gayle Gullett argued that in the California Women’s Movement built a nonpartisan broad suffrage umbrella that sought to enhance their “special interests.” Middle-class women assured their male allies that women’s enfranchisement was essential to progressivism. Furthermore, middle-and working-class women argued that suffrage would not only protect working women but women in general. Working class men and women also united to seek reform. Thus, through these heterogeneous groups, the California Women’s Movement built a unified coalition that led to women’s suffrage in 1911. [46] As America entered the First Great War, the

Hi, Kathleen as you mention in your post woman gain momentum in the workplace. However, women didn’t have the same opportunities as man until World War One. The woman made several advances. (Ryan, 2006). Before that time, there were few professions for women. The woman did numerous jobs that were unheard of before the war. Government position was held by woman helping them to establish laws for woman rights. In the progressive era, the 19th amendment was establish giving women the right to vote. Despite their achievement woman in the workforce still add a long way before they would receive equal

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.

At the time of progressive era, women were limited with job opportunities. They had a low salary. Particularly women in factors were the main targets of progressive era reformers. These workers were young, single or immigrants who were unskilled or semiskilled in their workforce. Their lack of skill promoted low wage for them. However, they had long hours of

Many reform movements took place from 1830 to 1860 following the Second Great Awakening. Most notably were the Abolitionist Movement, the Women’s Rights Movement, and the Temperance Movement. The time period from 1890 to 1920 was called the Progressive Era and focused on enacting change in the working environment as well as continuing to improve women’s rights. Both of these time periods pushed for change yet the social reformers during the Progressive Era achieved their goals to a greater extent in part due to the acts created. Both the social reformers in the period of 1830 to 1860 as well as 1890 to 1920 brought attention to crucial subject matters, however the social reformers from the latter period achieved their goals to a greater extent through the creation of several acts, laws, and committees.

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.

Women played a big part in the Progressive Movement that occurred in the early twentieth century. Rose Schneiderman was one of that got involved due to the Triangle Shirtwaist company that was in New York City being set on fire March 25, 1911. During this time 146 workers were killed (mainly consisting of women) from them not being able to escape because the fire escapes being faulty and the exits being blocked off. Rose made a speech to the public standing up for woman in society who has had to brush off being treated poorly because of the law cracking down on them every time they tried to defend themselves. This is not the only female who stood up for what they believe in during this period. Also during the Progressive Movement Anna Howard

The word feminism became prevalent when women began speaking of sex openly and reassuringly. It was to “express their demand in greater liberty, free sexual expression and reproductive choice. The right to ‘control one body’ meant the ability to refuse sexual advances, including those of a women’s husbands ” (Handout 703-704) Men normally felt women to be vulnerable and were in need of protection. Women during the progressive era believed their biological makeup did not determine what men or the government can treat them. As women expressed their entitlement to the pleasures of sex just like men, the men had already found pleasure in alcohol and prostitution.”Drink appeared to be a spur to illicit sex... As medical science revealed the consequences

Before the Progressive Era women found themselves in traditional roles raising the family and keeping the families moral compass pointing in the proper manner. Many of them never considered life outside of them home, as this was how they were raised. In the advent of the beginning years of the Progressive Era with many of the largest companies controlling the largest chunks of America’s financial interests these same women were looking outside. By this I mean, the very important job they had raising the family was getting increasingly more difficult as many families were forced into tenement situations. The unbidden squalor of the tenement with its poor sanitation, substandard water, as well as increasingly poor education were directly

Paid work for women moved from principally customary female-situated employments to all the more non-conventional and already male-arranged vocations. Ladies ' support in the workforce prompted them to start careers in the field dominated by male in the 20th century. Career yearnings were affected by elements, such as sexual orientation, financial status, race, occupation and instruction level, and parental desires. This paper exhibits how women developed, changed and the challenges they faced in the 20th century in America in the workforce and the advancement of ladies ' careers, improvement and profession goals during the 20th century in United States. Also, gender issues affecting women will be discussed in details during this period and how women played their role in fighting for their rights.

Another area in which women made changes was with their appearance. Women used their attire and style to show an independence, a certain freedom in which they alone had control. Starting with the “Gibson Girl”, women dressed in long, slim dresses, freeing themselves of the poufy petticoats of yore. Women started wearing shorter dresses and shorter hairstyles, leading to “Flapper Jane”. “Women started wearing “less” clothing, shorter dresses, cutting off their hair, and just being more “sensual” than normal”, (Bliven, 1925).