Progressive Era (1890s-1920s)America was experiencing rapid urbanization and industrialization during the Progressive Era. There were massive waves of immigrants coming into the US, great advancement of machines, and a surge of progressive ideas to improve the nation.
Women in the Progressive Era
Reforms were largely drive by women who thought that they should move into the public sphere where they could exercise their moral authority. They conducted research, controlled programs, and addressed social, economic, and political issues.
Beginnings of the Woman Suffrage MovementIn 1848, the first women's rights convention was held in Seneca Fall, New York. They gathered together under the leadership of Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and other women's rights activists to initiate reform. They realized that to achieve this, they needed to win the right to vote. In the early 1900s, the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) and National Woman's Party (NWP) worked together for the enfranchisement of women.
How did the 19th Amendment get ratified?By the early 20th century, the role of women in society was drastically changing. Although they did not necessarily step out of their domestic roles in the household, many were receiving better education and working more. A few became politically involved, another handfull went on to become lawyers, doctors, journalists, and scientists. People referred to them as "New Woman," the young, college educated, active in sports, interested and passionate about their career, and looking for marriage based on equality. In 1913, the NWP used voting power of women to elect representatives in Congress who supported women's right to vote and they organized a massive parade in Washington DC before President Woodrow Wilson's inauguration. By 1916, many politicians endorsed female enfranchisement and in August 18 of 1920, the 19th Amendment stating that "[t]he right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex" was finally ratified.
|
Comparative Analysis: the similarities between then and now/does it still affect us today?
The 19th Amendment is still considered as one of the most significant achievements of women today. It was the single largest extension of democratic voting rights in our nation's history and it was also achieve peacefully through democratic processes. The suffrage movement and ratification of the 19th Amendment definitely have long lasting effects up until this day. It set a precedent for the following generations, it opened doors for women to voice out their opinions and fight for justice, and it is allowing women to achieve a greater role in society today. Economically, women were able to carry more meaningful and professional careers due to more educational opportunities offered to them. Their wages rose accordingly and comparatively, we see a lot more women in high-standing political positions and as CEOs, gradually rearing away from the societal norms as typical "house-wives." Socially, the women in the Progressive Era created higher expectations for the post-generation. They began to enter male dominated professions and initiate even more new institutions on their own, which reminded the public of their place in society and their willingness to fight for gender equality. The time when the 19th Amendment ratified was, in some ways, the first step of women involvement in politics. In 1916, Jeanette Rankin, the first female member of Congress, was elected to the House of Representatives. Although we have long ways to go to achieve political gender equality, we are seeing more and more advancements today with our most recent presidential election, where Hillary Clinton was the closest woman to ever winning a presidential election.
The Suffrage Movement, the Women's Rights Movement, the most recent Women's March in Washington DC, and various other movements and protests have many similarities. All of these movements aim to address and fight for basic rights like voting, representation, gender equality, health care, etc. However, protests throughout the years have become more complicated in a sense because previous generations have already granted us the fundamental rights like voting. Recently, more than a million people gathered in Washington and other cities around the world to advocate legislation and policies involving various human rights issues. Not only did this involve women's rights, but also immigration reform, LGBTQ rights, healthcare reform, preservation of our environment, etc.
However, at the end of the day, citizens, politicians, and activists alike should take the time to look back at our history and realize that the suffrage movement holds a particular relevance now as it has helped us all take for granted the rights we exercise today. The story boils down to America's democracy. We need to celebrate the rights won and honor those who helped win them, we put women back into our national history as participants, and work with our new generation of activists to build upon our solid base that the woman suffrage movement has established.
The Suffrage Movement, the Women's Rights Movement, the most recent Women's March in Washington DC, and various other movements and protests have many similarities. All of these movements aim to address and fight for basic rights like voting, representation, gender equality, health care, etc. However, protests throughout the years have become more complicated in a sense because previous generations have already granted us the fundamental rights like voting. Recently, more than a million people gathered in Washington and other cities around the world to advocate legislation and policies involving various human rights issues. Not only did this involve women's rights, but also immigration reform, LGBTQ rights, healthcare reform, preservation of our environment, etc.
However, at the end of the day, citizens, politicians, and activists alike should take the time to look back at our history and realize that the suffrage movement holds a particular relevance now as it has helped us all take for granted the rights we exercise today. The story boils down to America's democracy. We need to celebrate the rights won and honor those who helped win them, we put women back into our national history as participants, and work with our new generation of activists to build upon our solid base that the woman suffrage movement has established.