Roles Of Women In Progressive Era Reforms From The 1880s Through 1920

Midterm 1 Binay Brar History 17B Professor Grohol.

Prompt: Analyze the roles that women played in Progressive Era reforms from the 1880s through 1920.

Women played critical roles in many reform movements that aimed to address social, economic, and political challenges in American society between the 1880s and 1920s, known as the Progressive Era. This period saw a huge shift in women’s public responsibilities, as they became more involved in activism and campaigning for change. During the Progressive Era, women took a variety of roles in a number of reform initiatives. They questioned established conventions, advocated for legislative changes, and increased opportunities for women’s civic participation. Their efforts not only
In chapter 13 of the Zinn text, it states, “A woman later recalled the conditions of work:. .. dangerously broken stairways. windows are few and so dirty.. The wooden floors that were swept once a year. . Hardly any other light but the gas jets burning by day and by night. . . the filthy, malodorous lavatory in the dark hall. No fresh drinking water. . mice and roaches. . . .”. Then we will be able to do that. As the primary providers for their families, they were subjected to social and economic inequality, with few opportunities for additional education or professional development. Poor living conditions contributed to higher incidence of illness and infant mortality. Tenements were congested, with poor ventilation and sanitation. In poorer areas, governmental health services were frequently insufficient, and access to healthcare was limited. Despite these challenges, working-and-lower class women actively participated in political and social movements during this period, participating in protests, labor strikes, and community-based campaigns to demand higher pay and working conditions, as well as to support social reforms such as women’s suffrage and laws prohibiting child labor. Women from the lower and working classes were essential in advancing women’s suffrage throughout the Progressive Era, a critical period for the cause. Women from lower socioeconomic status faced additional challenges due to the overlap of characteristics such as race, ethnicity, and immigrant status. “The Risk of Woman Suffrage” by Kelly Miller states, “The fundamental defect in the propaganda of woman suffrage consists in the fact that instead of confining its effort to the improvement of woman's lot along the line of her obvious sphere and function in the social scheme.”. The difficulties faced by women from