Women's Rights Of Women During The Progressive Era

The Progressive Era showed how women advanced politically, socially, and economically. As women progressed in the political landscape through women’s suffrage, earning the right to vote pushed society to view women through a new lens. New societal norms were reached for women and allowed for women to be portrayed closer to equals to men, and higher socioeconomic status were attainable for women.

Generations of women fought courageously for equality for decades. The ratification of the Nineteenth amendment was vindication for so many women across the country. After having spent so many years oppressed and unable to make way for themselves, women everywhere were growing tired of being unable to own property, keep their wages and the independence that an academic education gave them. The decades that ensued brought with them various female activists, men that supported them and a division of its own within the movement. The women’s suffrage movement lasted 71 years and cam with great discourse to the lives of many women who fought for the cause.

The entire Women’s Movement in the United States has been quite extensive. It can be traced back to 1848, when the first women’s rights convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York. After two days of discussions, 100 men and women signed the Declaration of Sentiments. Drafted by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, this document called for equal treatment of women and men under the law and voting rights for women. This gathering set the agenda for the rest of the Women’s Movement long ago (Imbornoni). Over the next 100 years, many women played a part in supporting equal treatment for women, most notably leading to the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which allowed women the right to vote.

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.

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

During the Progressive Era, there was a rise in advocates for various issues of the period. A prime example of a progressive advocate is Charlotte Perkins Gilman, who through her writing encouraged more social, political, and economic rights for women. Gilman specifically advocated for women to not only participate in their domestic duties but for women to also serve as active members of society; both politically and financially. To convey these points, Gilman wrote and published many books that illustrated the issues to the public and started conversations and controversies which brought more attention to women’s rights. In her works, Gilman consistently advocated for economic power for women; however, she supported women being involved and equal in every aspect of society; including having the same domestic power and rights as their husbands, women’s suffrage to match male counterparts, and the ability for women to be financially independent and self-supporting. Gilman’s writings acted as a significant part of the women’s rights movement during the Progressive Era by bringing the controversial issues to the public eye.

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.

From the 1880’s to the 1920’s, the Progressive Era was a period in American history where women’s suffrage gained the most momentum. Due to justified Progressive Era reforms and the creation of various organizations during this time, women were able to successfully protect people who were, for example, immigrants, poor, and African Americans belittled by the norms of society. With the full participation of American women, they exercised their full rights as citizens to create public institutions and shape public policy. Redefining the social structure, these middle-class women received support from other women which essentially led to changes of the rights of and treatment of American women in society. Thwarted by a male-dominated society, pleas for better treatment and equal rights made by women in the forms of protests, conventions, parades, and speeches, were often seen as foolish and meaningless. However, women’s unrelenting efforts combined with the atmosphere of reform resulted in positive outcomes such as the right to vote, the creation of new educational opportunities, and the introduction of better working conditions for women, which drastically impacted the way women apply themselves in society today.

The Women’s Suffrage Movement of the 1920’s worked to grant women the right to vote nationally, thereby allowing women more political equality. Due to many industrial and social changes during the early 19th century, many women were involved in social advocacy efforts, which eventually led them to advocate for their own right to vote and take part in government agencies. Women have been an integral part of society, working to help those in need, which then fueled a desire to advocate for their own social and political equality. While many women worked tirelessly for the vote, many obstacles, factions, and ultimately time would pass in order for women to see the vote on the national level. The 19th Amendment, providing women the right to vote, enable women further their pursuit for full inclusion in the working of American society.

On June 4th, 1919 Women's suffrage was passed by Congress. This was later called the 19th Amendment. This Amendment granted women the right to vote. Women could now do what men have done, and they can do it just as good or better. Before this Amendment was ratified, women had been taken for granted. They had the same rights as slaves, if not less. For many years women have not had a voice in society, they had been less than a man. Women did all of the housework, took care of the children, cooked, and many more things an average “ housewife” did.

August 26, 1920 was perhaps one of the greatest victories of the century for women. When the polls opened, women and men stood next to each other and casted a vote that held the same importance. The landmark acceptance of the Nineteenth Amendment changed the way of life for American Women forever. "We were sixteen women sitting in sixteen chairs, longing to stand." (Dubois 250) Before the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment, women were shunned and placed in the background of a male dominated stage.

Prior to August 18th, 1920 for nearly 70 years the rights of women were dismissed in favor to the rights of men. Woman could not own property, have a say in earned income or have the right to vote. The momentous adoption of the 19th amendment initially gave women

Women had no political or social rights in the early 1900’s. They were expected to stay home and take care of the children while the husband was off to work to bring in the weekly earnings. Single women worked as waitresses, cooks, and maids. Young women were required to get married and bear children in their late teens. The derogatory term “spinster” held a negative meaning that referred to women that were not good enough to get married to an honorable man.

Once the idea of Women’s voting rights were produced, two ladies (Susie B. Anthony and and Elizabeth Cady Stanton) wrote the 19th amendment, but it took 41 years for it to pass fully through congress and get accepted into the Constitution. In fact, it took so long that neither of them got to actually see the amendment pass. It was passed in congress in June of 1919 and ratified August of 1920. Men were the main cause as to why this amendment didn’t pass through right away, they felt it wasn't a woman's “job” to uphold “their” country. However, women did not back down, they rallied and formed alliances until finally it was passed and ratified. With this strong devodance to their American rights, they captured the ideal image of the Woman’s Suffrage Era, showing the amount of strength and persuasion it took to get their equal

The Progressive Era was a period of time between the late 1800s and the early 1900s when the United States sought ideas that gave people equality. Prior to the Progressive Era, women and immigrants were not allowed to vote and not given the opportunity to be employed in many jobs. Also, children were forced to work in factories and there was no conservation of the Earth’s resources. During the Progressive Era, rights of minorities, conservation of natural resources, cleanliness in food gained improvements.