What Was The Role Of Women In The Late 1800's

Between Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, Industrialization and consumerism, civil war and first world war, women in this period were often footnoted. Women rights and equality were ignored and at times oppressed. It all changed during late 1800’s to early 1900’s or in progressive era which many historians term as women’s era when women started having greater social, economic and political influence. It was the era of women struggle for recognition and equal rights movement which laid the foundation for political equality, economic and social reforms.
Women were always in the forefront of social reform. However, their roles were often limited. Their work was often confined to household chore, raising children and agriculture. The late 1800’s and progressive era broadened women’s involvement in various social reform activities. Women greatest influence came through their membership in Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) which by 1911 was the largest women organization in American history. Women involvement in organization such as WCTU and anti-saloon league helped pushed for social reform such as temperance movement which advocated for limiting production, sale and consumption of alcohol. Beside the prohibition, women through organization such as WCTU push for greater social reform such …show more content…
Many of new products made were targeted to women and labor reduction such as washing machines. Women were the primary consumer who did shopping for the entire family. This gave women a great leverage which they used to bring change. One of the most prominent figure during this period was Florence Kelly who after spearheading various social reforms such as establishing minimum wage, work hours, children rights served as secretary in National Consumers League. The league sponsored boycott and influenced consumption pattern encouraging consumers to buy product that were made without child