The 1900s bared many changes in the rights of women, characterized by movements that caused political and societal reform. The suffragette and abolition movements, reform in pre-civil war america, and second wave feminism all contributed greatly to the rights of women in America . Women were tasked with writing their own history pertaining to their basic right to be recognized as equal members of society. As the influx in the responsibilities of women grew, so did their need to be held to the same stature as men.
The suffragette movement provided the first powerful example in american history of women taking on the responsibility of societal reform pertaining to the equality of women. Spear headed by Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Sojourner Truth the suffragette movement paved the way for the second wave of feminist in the 1960’s. First gaining momentum after the gathering at seneca falls , women began gaining traction in the fight to assert there equality and fight for equity amongst the american people. At this convention Stanton produced the first document of the suffragettes, drafting a “Declaration of Sentiments, Grievances, and Resolutions” that echoed the preamble of the Declaration of Independence. In this document, Stanton compares and places perspective on the mistreatment of women and to the basic rights of men in the United states. This movement not only pushed for women to have the right to vote, but with the abolition movement liberated enslaved peoples, caused prison reform with Dorothea Dix , and temperance amongst the public.
Women first joined the workforce during the market revolution under disgusting and grueling conditions while their husbands were wasting away their paychecks at pubs. As women moved further away from domestic duties, the need for rights equal to men grew The industrial revolution broke the cult of domesticity to pieces, forcing women to work and still be discriminated due to there gender alone. As stated in the Equal Rights Amendment, “ Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” This still does not entice the Equal pay act to be passed until June 1963 by former president John F. Kennedy. As articulated by Betty Friedan,
“Wage discrimination against women workers exists in every industry where women are employed. It exists because it pays off in billions of dollars in extra profits for the companies. According to the 1950 census, the average wage of women in factories was $1,285 a year less than men. . . . In just one year, US corporations made five billion, four hundred million dollars in extra profits from there exploitation of women.”
Betty friedan exposed the shortcomings of women in comparison to men and the gigantic disparity women face in the workplace. As the industrial revolution began, an industry of gypping women erupted.
Feminist from the 1960s resurrected the women’s march and picket line from earlier suffragette movements. Most notably Casey hayden and Mary king, who both devoted there speech to “ Sex and Caste: A Kind of Memo”. In which undeniable parallels are drawn between “ The Declaration of Sentiments” and “ Sex and Caste: A Kind of Memo”. This movement pushed for true equality in all aspects of life. Women of all ages and economic class began to fight to secure a stronger role in American society while the housewife faded into the distance. As war came and went during the 1900’s women became accustomed to stepping in when men were off fighting, joining the workforce, raising children, and financing the war altogether. When men returned from war, women banded together, formed coalitions, conventions, and societies to protect female rights during this time. Second wave feminism allowed women to assert their presence in working society and ouch for reform just as the suffragettes did decades before them.
From the time of the American revolution through 1975 women fought to obtain the same social, political, and economic status as men. As the responsibilities of men dwindled, women began supporting families, society, and the United States of America. The constitution and laws alike had to reflect that for women to grow and uphold their duties. Women had the right to “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”, just as much as all of the United States The cult of domesticity did not fit the narrative women wrote for themselves, in turn the rise of the women’s rights movement was necessary in the progression of society.
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