Women in the Progressive era

Background Women had been fighting for the right of others for years Slaves Labors Immigrants by lecture, writing campaigns Now wanted to fight for their rights…SUFFRAGE

Hardships Problems in the Workplace Key Victory…Muller v. Oregon Wages Working conditions Long Hours Key Victory…Muller v. Oregon Supreme Court agreed with an Oregon law capped working hours for woman due to danger to birth and families Lewis D. Brandeis

Hardships Unfair Pricing hurts women National Consumer League Florence Kelley Special Labels to goods produced in good, fair and safe working conditions Laws to force government inspection of products Reform of women's factories Women Trade Union 8 hour day Minimum Wage Lobbying for what they wanted!

Other Battles Temperance Women’s Christian Temperance Union End the consumption and production of alcohol Why? To keep mothers and families safe 18th Amendment – ended the production and sale of alcohol Birth Control, Margret Sanger – Family life and women’s heath would improve if had less children Ida B. Wells National Association of Colored Women To help Black women and family to a better life

Fight takes a new turn National Women Suffrage Association Carrie Chapman Catt- Reorganized the fight Wanted to recruit women of all socio-economic levels Two front attack: One group lobbies Congress for a Const. Amendment for Women’s right to vote (19th) Other group works in the states to gain women the right to vote

Anti-women’s suffrage National Association Opposed to Women Suffrage… Seeking Constitutional Amendment Worked against the Suffragettes Took time away from family Took resources and volunteers from other work that could benefit society Faded away as pressure for suffrage grew

Others in the struggle Alice Paul Formed the National Women’s Party … Seeking Constitutional Amendment First Group to use protest marches and picket signs outside the White House Used Hunger Strikes, Militant pressure on Congress Made some mad because it made other groups methods look weak

Suffrage at Last Suffragettes supported America in WWI This gained them support in Congress along with the efforts of Catt and Paul In June 1919 Congress approved the 19th Amendment On August 18, 1920 Tennessee became the last state needed to ratify the 19th Amend. Women could now vote!!