The Role of the turn of the Century

Debate over women’s equality What does women’s equality mean? What did women want? –Should be able to vote –Own their own property and income –Access to higher education and professional jobs What do you think people thought about this? - Thought they would be crazy - Did not have the mental capacity -Upset the social order

Women at the turn of the Century Work at home and on farms –Prepare food and clothing –Helped farm Young women migrated to the cities –Work in factories and some professional jobs Building volunteer organizations –General Federation of Women’s Clubs 1890 –Association for the Advancement of Women

Work at home and on the farm From producer to consumer Advances in technology made this possible –Tin cans –Quick cereals –Factory made biscuits Department stores –Marshal Field in Chicago –Macy’s in New York

Working outside the home 1:8 women over the age of 10 worked outside the home Most were single women (ages of 16-24) Were paid 30 to 60% less than men Typewriter 1870 Women professionals –Women’s colleges –Hospitals

Women started to demand more “New Women” Started to higher expectations of fulfillment in marriage than earlier generations, led to an increase in the divorce rate Margaret Sanger spread information about birth control and planned parenthood