1. 1 Turn of the Century Women's Roles

2. 2 Susan B. Anthony: Suffragette After meeting Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony dedicated herself to winning full rights for women. Teamed with Stanton, she gained her first success with the passage of New York State's Married Women's Property Act (1860). An ardent abolitionist, she opposed the male-only Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. During 1868–70 she was publisher of Revolution, a women's suffrage paper, and with Stanton she founded the National Woman Suffrage Association (1869).

3. 3 In the election of 1872 she cast a ballot and was arrested and fined, and in 1905 she personally visited President Theodore Roosevelt to urge his support for women's suffrage. In the election of 1872 she cast a ballot and was arrested and fined, and in 1905 she personally visited President Theodore Roosevelt to urge his support for women's suffrage. The ridicule that had greeted her in her first decades was replaced by respect, and she became internationally known as the symbol of the women's rights movement. The ridicule that had greeted her in her first decades was replaced by respect, and she became internationally known as the symbol of the women's rights movement. The following excerpt is part of a speech she gave in 1872 advocating women's suffrage. The following excerpt is part of a speech she gave in 1872 advocating women's suffrage. "Friends and Fellow-citizens: I stand before you to-night, under indictment for the alleged crime of having voted at the last Presidential election, without having a lawful right to vote. It shall be my work this evening to prove to you that in thus voting, I not only committed no crime, but, instead, simply exercised my citizen's right, guaranteed to me and all United States citizens by the National Constitution, beyond the power of any State to deny." "Friends and Fellow-citizens: I stand before you to-night, under indictment for the alleged crime of having voted at the last Presidential election, without having a lawful right to vote. It shall be my work this evening to prove to you that in thus voting, I not only committed no crime, but, instead, simply exercised my citizen's right, guaranteed to me and all United States citizens by the National Constitution, beyond the power of any State to deny."

4. 4 The Seneca Falls Declaration (1848) The Seneca Falls Declaration of 1848 outlined goals the women's rights movement of the mid-19th century. The Seneca Falls Declaration of 1848 outlined goals the women's rights movement of the mid-19th century. As can be seen in the opening passages, the document was modeled after the Declaration of Independence. As can be seen in the opening passages, the document was modeled after the Declaration of Independence. "When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one portion of the family of man to assume among the people of the earth a position different from that which they have hitherto occupied, but one to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes that impel them to such a course." "When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one portion of the family of man to assume among the people of the earth a position different from that which they have hitherto occupied, but one to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes that impel them to such a course."

5. 5 Attitudes on Enfranchisement There were, obviously, proponents on both sides of the suffrage issue and both expressed their opinions ferociously in the media. There were, obviously, proponents on both sides of the suffrage issue and both expressed their opinions ferociously in the media. The presentation supporting the constitutional suffrage amendment, then presented as the 16th Amendment, were presented during the Congressional consideration of the subject and presents a compelling argument for its passage. The presentation supporting the constitutional suffrage amendment, then presented as the 16th Amendment, were presented during the Congressional consideration of the subject and presents a compelling argument for its passage. "The people "ordained and established" the Constitution. Such is the preamble. "We, the people." Can it be said that the people acquire their privileges from the instrument that they themselves establish? Does the creature extend rights, privileges and immunities to the creator? No; the people retain all the rights which they have not surrendered; and if the people have not given to the government the power to deprive them of their elective "The people "ordained and established" the Constitution. Such is the preamble. "We, the people." Can it be said that the people acquire their privileges from the instrument that they themselves establish? Does the creature extend rights, privileges and immunities to the creator? No; the people retain all the rights which they have not surrendered; and if the people have not given to the government the power to deprive them of their elective franchise, they possess it by virtue of citizenship." franchise, they possess it by virtue of citizenship."

6. 6 This New York Times article highlights the details on the passage of the 19th amendment and then also addresses the half century plight of the suffragists. This New York Times article highlights the details on the passage of the 19th amendment and then also addresses the half century plight of the suffragists. "WASHINGTON, June 4 - After a long and persistent fight advocates of woman suffrage won a victory in the Senate today when that body, by a vote of 56 to 25, adopted the Susan Anthony amendment to the Constitution. The suffrage supporters had two more than the necessary two- thirds vote of Senators present. Had all the Senators known to be in favor of suffrage been present the amendment would have had 66 votes, or two more than a two- thirds vote of the entire Senate." "WASHINGTON, June 4 - After a long and persistent fight advocates of woman suffrage won a victory in the Senate today when that body, by a vote of 56 to 25, adopted the Susan Anthony amendment to the Constitution. The suffrage supporters had two more than the necessary two- thirds vote of Senators present. Had all the Senators known to be in favor of suffrage been present the amendment would have had 66 votes, or two more than a two- thirds vote of the entire Senate."

7. 7 The Supreme Court decreed, in the first case of its kind, Minor v. Happersett (1874) that the state of Missouri had been within its constitutional rights in denying a woman applicant, Virginia Minor, the right to vote. "If the law is wrong, it ought to be changed; but the power for that is not with us.......No argument as to woman's need of suffrage can be considered. We can only act upon her rights as they exist. It is not for us to look at the hardship of withholding. Our duty is at an end if we find it is within the power of a State to withhold."

8. 8 Property Rights Before married women's property acts were passed, upon marriage a woman lost any right to control property that was hers prior to the marriage, nor did she have rights to acquire any property during marriage. Before married women's property acts were passed, upon marriage a woman lost any right to control property that was hers prior to the marriage, nor did she have rights to acquire any property during marriage. A married woman could not make contracts, keep or control her own wages or any rents, transfer property, sell property or bring any lawsuit. A married woman could not make contracts, keep or control her own wages or any rents, transfer property, sell property or bring any lawsuit. In 1848, the New York "Married Women's Property Act" was passed giving women more comprehensive rights to control property. The law was used as a model for similar laws in many other states. In 1848, the New York "Married Women's Property Act" was passed giving women more comprehensive rights to control property. The law was used as a model for similar laws in many other states.

9. 9 Working Restrictions A major facet of the Progressive movement’s agenda was to ameliorate the worst aspects of industrialization; including environmental degradation, abuse of workers, exploitation of consumers, and corruption of the political process. A major facet of the Progressive movement’s agenda was to ameliorate the worst aspects of industrialization; including environmental degradation, abuse of workers, exploitation of consumers, and corruption of the political process. Starting in the state legislatures, reformers passed a variety of statutes, including factory safety laws, workmen's compensation, minimum wages and maximum hours. Starting in the state legislatures, reformers passed a variety of statutes, including factory safety laws, workmen's compensation, minimum wages and maximum hours. However, conservatives were able to block some of these programs in the courts, where they appealed to a judiciary imbued with the notions that private property was sacrosanct and that legislatures should not be able to tell people how to use their property. However, conservatives were able to block some of these programs in the courts, where they appealed to a judiciary imbued with the notions that private property was sacrosanct and that legislatures should not be able to tell people how to use their property.

10. 10 In 1905, the case of Lochner v New York ruled that limiting the hours of bakery workers, regardless of sex, to a ten-hour day was unconstitutional, because such a measure bore no relation to the worker's health or safety. In 1905, the case of Lochner v New York ruled that limiting the hours of bakery workers, regardless of sex, to a ten-hour day was unconstitutional, because such a measure bore no relation to the worker's health or safety. When the state of Oregon established a ten-hour workday for women in laundries and factories, business owners attacked it on the grounds that, like the New York law, it bore no relation to the women's health or safety. When the state of Oregon established a ten-hour workday for women in laundries and factories, business owners attacked it on the grounds that, like the New York law, it bore no relation to the women's health or safety. Justice Brewer upheld the law, claiming that it did relate to women's health and safety, in an unprecedented brief that established that women were, legally, different from men. Justice Brewer upheld the law, claiming that it did relate to women's health and safety, in an unprecedented brief that established that women were, legally, different from men. "That woman's physical structure and the performance of maternal functions place her at a disadvantage in the struggle for subsistence is obvious. This is especially true when the burdens of motherhood are upon her....and as healthy mothers are essential to vigorous offspring, the physical well-being of woman becomes an object of public interest and care in order to preserve the strength and vigor of the race." "That woman's physical structure and the performance of maternal functions place her at a disadvantage in the struggle for subsistence is obvious. This is especially true when the burdens of motherhood are upon her....and as healthy mothers are essential to vigorous offspring, the physical well-being of woman becomes an object of public interest and care in order to preserve the strength and vigor of the race."

11. 11 The 19th Amendment Although briefly postponed due to the outbreak of WWI, the continued agitation by women determined to obtain voting rights resulted in the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which finally allowed women to represent themselves at the polls. Although briefly postponed due to the outbreak of WWI, the continued agitation by women determined to obtain voting rights resulted in the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which finally allowed women to represent themselves at the polls. The pictures include photographs of a pro-suffrage parade, suffrage protesters targeting Woodrow Wilson because of his reluctance to support the 19th Amendment, and Kentucky Governor, Edwin Morrow, signing the 19th Amendment on its way to ratification. The pictures include photographs of a pro-suffrage parade, suffrage protesters targeting Woodrow Wilson because of his reluctance to support the 19th Amendment, and Kentucky Governor, Edwin Morrow, signing the 19th Amendment on its way to ratification.

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13. 13Politicians American women have had the right to vote since 1920, but their political roles have been minimal. American women have had the right to vote since 1920, but their political roles have been minimal. A notable exception was Jeanette Rankin, a member of the Republican Party who campaigned for universal suffrage, prohibition, child welfare reform, an end to child labor and staying out of the First World War, and became the first woman to be elected to the House of Representatives. A notable exception was Jeanette Rankin, a member of the Republican Party who campaigned for universal suffrage, prohibition, child welfare reform, an end to child labor and staying out of the First World War, and became the first woman to be elected to the House of Representatives. One of her first actions was to introduce a bill that would have allowed women citizenship independent of their husbands, whereas women lost most of their liberties in deference to their husbands after marriage. One of her first actions was to introduce a bill that would have allowed women citizenship independent of their husbands, whereas women lost most of their liberties in deference to their husbands after marriage.

14. 14 Hattie Caraway of Arkansas was first appointed to the Senate in 1932 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of her husband, Thaddeus H. Caraway. In 1933, she became the first woman elected to the United States Senate. She was the first woman to chair a Senate Committee and the first woman to take up the gavel on the Senate floor as the presiding officer.

15. 15 Female Professionals Doctors were not the only female professionals who encountered resistance. The legal profession was also resistant to admitting women. Doctors were not the only female professionals who encountered resistance. The legal profession was also resistant to admitting women. Myra Bradwell applied for membership in the Illinois state bar in accordance with a state statute that permitted any adult of good character and with sufficient training to be admitted. Myra Bradwell applied for membership in the Illinois state bar in accordance with a state statute that permitted any adult of good character and with sufficient training to be admitted. Because she was a woman, however, the Illinois State Bar denied her admission, noting that the "strife" of the bar would surely destroy femininity. Because she was a woman, however, the Illinois State Bar denied her admission, noting that the "strife" of the bar would surely destroy femininity. Bradwell appealed the decision to the United States Supreme Court, arguing that her right to practice law was protected by the Fourteenth Amendment. In another blow for Women's Rights, the Supreme Court disagreed with Bradwell. Bradwell appealed the decision to the United States Supreme Court, arguing that her right to practice law was protected by the Fourteenth Amendment. In another blow for Women's Rights, the Supreme Court disagreed with Bradwell. In an 8-1 ruling, it upheld the decision of the Illinois court, ruling that the "Privileges or Immunities Clause" of the Fourteenth Amendment did not include the right to practice a profession. Justice Bradley's opinion concurring in the Court's judgment is notable for positing that it was the "paramount destiny" of a woman to "fulfill the noble and benign offices of wife and mother. This is the law of the Creator." In an 8-1 ruling, it upheld the decision of the Illinois court, ruling that the "Privileges or Immunities Clause" of the Fourteenth Amendment did not include the right to practice a profession. Justice Bradley's opinion concurring in the Court's judgment is notable for positing that it was the "paramount destiny" of a woman to "fulfill the noble and benign offices of wife and mother. This is the law of the Creator."

16. 16 Female Medical Education Beginning in the 19th century the required educational preparation for the practice of medicine increased. Beginning in the 19th century the required educational preparation for the practice of medicine increased. This tended to prevent many young women from entering professional medical careers, although they had dominated many areas of medicine, primarily midwifery, prior to this point. This tended to prevent many young women from entering professional medical careers, although they had dominated many areas of medicine, primarily midwifery, prior to this point. Home nursing was considered a proper female occupation, whereas nursing in hospitals was done almost exclusively by men. Home nursing was considered a proper female occupation, whereas nursing in hospitals was done almost exclusively by men. Specific discrimination against women also began to appear. For example, the American Medical Association, founded in 1846, barred women from membership. They were also barred from attending "men's" medical colleges. Specific discrimination against women also began to appear. For example, the American Medical Association, founded in 1846, barred women from membership. They were also barred from attending "men's" medical colleges.

17. 17 Instead, women enrolled in their own such as the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, which was established in 1850. Instead, women enrolled in their own such as the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, which was established in 1850. By the 1910s, however, women were attending many leading medical schools, and in 1915 the American Medical Association began to admit women members. By the 1910s, however, women were attending many leading medical schools, and in 1915 the American Medical Association began to admit women members. Elizabeth Blackwell was instrumental in breaking back into the field for women. Elizabeth Blackwell was instrumental in breaking back into the field for women. She relentlessly pursued an education and eventually became the first female doctor in the modern American era. She relentlessly pursued an education and eventually became the first female doctor in the modern American era.

18. 18 Women's Education The idea of a proper women's education was a controversial topic. The idea of a proper women's education was a controversial topic. People disagreed on which topics were acceptable, at which age women should begin and end their education, and who should instruct them. People disagreed on which topics were acceptable, at which age women should begin and end their education, and who should instruct them. At the end of the 18th Century, Mary Wollstonecraft published A Vindication of the Rights of Woman through which she sought to "persuade women to endeavor to acquire strength, both of mind and body, and to convince them that the soft phrases, susceptibility of heart, delicacy of sentiment, and refinement of taste, are almost synonymous with epithets of weakness." At the end of the 18th Century, Mary Wollstonecraft published A Vindication of the Rights of Woman through which she sought to "persuade women to endeavor to acquire strength, both of mind and body, and to convince them that the soft phrases, susceptibility of heart, delicacy of sentiment, and refinement of taste, are almost synonymous with epithets of weakness."

19. 19 Agnes Nestor: Working Her Fingers to the Bone (1898) Beginning in the late 19th century, the rapid increase in the number of women in the work force reflected a significant shift in the role and status of women in American culture. Beginning in the late 19th century, the rapid increase in the number of women in the work force reflected a significant shift in the role and status of women in American culture. As women become more economically empowered, their methods and scope of organization also became increasingly more apparent and often tied to labor disputes. As women become more economically empowered, their methods and scope of organization also became increasingly more apparent and often tied to labor disputes. Such disputes often provided the impetus for organized movements to achieve suffrage with the general understanding that political influence would provide women with greater protection in the work place Such disputes often provided the impetus for organized movements to achieve suffrage with the general understanding that political influence would provide women with greater protection in the work place

20. 20 Agnes Nestor, a factory worker, played a substantial role in the emerging women's labor movement. Agnes Nestor, a factory worker, played a substantial role in the emerging women's labor movement. Nestor’s mother was a textile mill worker and her father was a machinist and a one-time member of the Knights of Labor who became a city alderman in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Nestor’s mother was a textile mill worker and her father was a machinist and a one-time member of the Knights of Labor who became a city alderman in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The family migrated to Chicago during the depression of the 1890s, and the teenage Agnes went to work in a glove factory. The family migrated to Chicago during the depression of the 1890s, and the teenage Agnes went to work in a glove factory. The sixty-hour work weeks exhausted her. “I have been so tired all day I could hardly work,” she regularly noted in her diary. The sixty-hour work weeks exhausted her. “I have been so tired all day I could hardly work,” she regularly noted in her diary. Soon she became president of her glove workers local and later a leader of the International Glove Workers Union. Soon she became president of her glove workers local and later a leader of the International Glove Workers Union. She also took a leading role in the Women’s Trade Union League, serving as president of the Chicago branch from 1913 to 1948. She also took a leading role in the Women’s Trade Union League, serving as president of the Chicago branch from 1913 to 1948.

21. 21 19th Century Reform The late 19th century was a period of intense social reform movements. The bellow excerpt is from a speech by Susan B. Anthony who observes that, though women are least likely to succumb to intemperance, they are the worst hurt victims of it. She also states that many women are forced into prostitution out of poverty because they are now allowed any other jobs. The late 19th century was a period of intense social reform movements. The bellow excerpt is from a speech by Susan B. Anthony who observes that, though women are least likely to succumb to intemperance, they are the worst hurt victims of it. She also states that many women are forced into prostitution out of poverty because they are now allowed any other jobs. "Women, like men, must not only have “fair play” in the world of work and self-support, but, like men, must be eligible to all the honors and emoluments of society and government." "Women, like men, must not only have “fair play” in the world of work and self-support, but, like men, must be eligible to all the honors and emoluments of society and government." This second excerpt is from a writing by author and activist Grace Dodge, who exhorts young ladies to improve themselves and make efficient use of their time. This second excerpt is from a writing by author and activist Grace Dodge, who exhorts young ladies to improve themselves and make efficient use of their time. "We are all workers--busy bodies; and I think there is not one of us who could not say, "It seems as if a woman's work was never done."' "We are all workers--busy bodies; and I think there is not one of us who could not say, "It seems as if a woman's work was never done."'

22. 22 Domestic Expectations Domesticity used to be a matter of fact; gender was deterministic of one’s occupation. Domesticity used to be a matter of fact; gender was deterministic of one’s occupation. In the Victorian period most women were responsible for clothing, feeding, educating, and sanitizing their families. In the Victorian period most women were responsible for clothing, feeding, educating, and sanitizing their families. The women who were not responsible for such things were usually well off and could afford to hire servants and buy expensive appliances to reduce the labor involved in such tasks. The women who were not responsible for such things were usually well off and could afford to hire servants and buy expensive appliances to reduce the labor involved in such tasks. Women have often been put into the domestic sphere without voicing their opinion on the matter. Women have often been put into the domestic sphere without voicing their opinion on the matter.

23. 23 Charlotte Perkins Gilman, a prolific writer of the era, wrote the Yellow Wallpaper, a story which explains how men perpetrated an ideological prison that subjected and silenced women. This ideology, called the Cult of True Womanhood, legitimized the victimization of women. The Cult of Domesticity and the Cult of Purity were the central tenets of the Cult of True Womanhood. Laboring under the seeming benevolence of the Cult of Domesticity, women were imprisoned in the home or private sphere, a servant tending to the needs of the family.

24. 24 Technology has a tremendous role in the way domesticity has changed. Technology has a tremendous role in the way domesticity has changed. There have been great advances in sciences that, through their application, have greatly reduced the amount of time and the extent of labor required for many domestic tasks. There have been great advances in sciences that, through their application, have greatly reduced the amount of time and the extent of labor required for many domestic tasks. By 1937 the first automatic washer was invented and this assuredly diminished the workload. By 1937 the first automatic washer was invented and this assuredly diminished the workload. Sewing had been a typical home activity for many centuries but it was not until Isaac Singer invented the first practical sewing machine in 1853 that sewing could become an industry. Sewing had been a typical home activity for many centuries but it was not until Isaac Singer invented the first practical sewing machine in 1853 that sewing could become an industry.