Women in
American History:
The Colonial Period:
Women were considered inferior to men
were under legal authority of men
limited in owning property
restricted to home and farm duties
received little schooling
were denied access to higher ed.
denied right to vote and to participate
in politics
Notable women in this
period:
Anne Hutchinson
Abigail Adams
Jacksonian Era:
Democratic reforms caused people to
consider lifting restrictions on women
industry provided alternate job
opportunities outside the home
Developed leadership for the women’s
rights movement in the Northeast
Horace Mann’s demand for free public
education extended to boys and girls
During the Civil War, women
aided the war effort as labor became scarce, they then made social gains as a
result
The Suffragettes:
Susan B. Anthony pressed Congress to
included women in the 15th
amendment (they did not)
Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady
Stanton organized the first women’s
rights convention at Seneca Falls NY
in 1848
They adopted the
Declaration of RIghts
and Sentiments which
claimed that
“All men and women are created
equal....”
In 1869, Wyoming became the
first state to grant women the right to vote, and by 1914, 16 other states had
followed suit
Suffragettes: Alice Paul
In 1920, the 19th amendment
was ratified which gave women the right to vote, partially because of their
contribution to the war effort
The League of Women Voters
was formed in 1920 to promote political responsibility by conducting voter
registration drives and providing info on candidates
Notable women in political
life:
Eleanor Roosevelt: Declaration of
Human Rights in UN
Frances Perkins: Sect of Labor under
FDR
Janet Reno: 1st Attn General
Madeleine Albright: Sect of State
