Essay On Women In The 1920s

The lives of women improved during 1920s and 1930s because women attained political equality. After all the protesting suffragists did to obtain the right to vote in political elections, women finally earned their right to vote. According to Canada statistics, women around all provinces (except Quebec) received the right to vote by 1925. (Canada Statistics) Furthermore, as women became active in political involvements, they began to get elected representing different political parties. Canada statistics exhibits many women who achieved being chosen as candidates for political election by 1921. (Government of Canada statistics) In the past years, only men had the right of suffrage and stand in elections. This altered dramatically because between
the 20s and 30s, females engaged in elections too and ran as candidates. Knowing that one of their leaders was a woman, female citizens felt comfortable sharing their opinions in society. Women gained pride from other women’s accomplishments in the Parliament. They received much more respect than before as working with government displayed their abilities that are worthy of the praise. The right to vote gave women a voice in civilization. Mrs. P. E. Bottle, a woman who lived in the 1920s, sent a letter to the early prime minister explaining her financial issues at home. She wrote “I’ve got three children and they all are in need of shoes. What I wanted was $3.00 and any old pair of clothes” (Bottle, 1935) In the past, only a man could have tried to solve family problems such as poverty but as time progressed, women took the responsibility of their family matters gaining confidence that a woman living in 1910s would have never had. The letter proves that the right to suffrage motivated women to articulate and question their issues.

In the 20s and 30s, universities and colleges began to accept female students.
Girls from ages fourteen to twenty no longer stayed at home to serve their family, they started going to universities and looked forward to what they were about to learn. Women signed up in way more educational courses than ever before. During 1897, women enrolled in 5 courses. This amended a lot between the 20s and 30s as female students engaged in more than 11 courses that included business, dentistry, nursing, law and much more! (Ministry of colleges and university records’ statistics) Not too after, women were starting to get more attention from media in big cities of Ontario. A photo of women on the University of Toronto campus shows group of hardworking student females. (City of Toronto Archives, 1927) They all seem very optimistic about studying from some of the strongest institutions. Having an access to higher learning altered a woman’s role from a housewife to a skilled worker. Job opportunities in many industries and professions opened to educated female civilians. According to Canadian Bureau of labour, up to 20% women commenced working in the labour forces in 1931. (The Canadian Bureau of Labour) Women went to universities and took up professional career opportunities such as nurses, teachers, and a few doctors and lawyers! Education and work forces changed a woman’s role in society. It became much more than a working wife owned and ruled by her husband. As females began to toil
away, they realized they did not need men to provide for them. They were capable to do everything by themselves. As the literacy and work rates grew higher and higher for women, it promoted more females to draw their own independent conclusions in life. Women could assist their families with financial support which rose their standards in society.
The new modern lifestyle ameliorated women’s living standards. Modern appliances with great technology came in and made women’s lives much easier. An article reads “The washing machine reduced work. The vacuum cleaner, though heavy to pull around, made another household task easy” ( CITATION?) Labour- saving technology meant that housework was much quicker and easier to do. It saved women a lot of time and they could go outside. Furthermore, women got more time on their hands to go enjoy the entertainment outside. Cover of Life Magazine depicts a lady dancing with a short dress. (Life Magazine, 1926) She symbolizes freedom with her daring short dress, a lot of jewellery, short hair, immense amount of makeup and fun nature. Females flocked into dance and jazz clubs which was once unthinkable. They finished their housework, took their income and went to outside to have a blast! Women were never allowed to do this before and they never got the time either. They didn’t feel trapped or like a property owned by their husbands. Women began to realize they have their own life and freedom.
The 1920s and 1930s brought drastic positive changes to women’s lives. The right to vote was a vital achievement as it gave them a say in the laws influencing their lives. Women earned a new reputation in society that showed they were just as capable as men by working in the labour force and skilled professions. The modern lifestyle with technology and amazing entertainment resulted in more freedom and independence for women.