Chapter 9-Section 2 - Dearborn Public Schools

Women in Public Life Chapter 9-Section 2 Women in Public Life Before the Civil War, American women were expected to devote their time to home and family. By the late 19th and

early 20th century, women were visible in the workforce. Domestic Workers Before the turn-of-thecentury women without formal education contributed to the economic welfare of their families by doing domestic work.

Altogether, 70% of women employed in 1870 were servants. Women in the Work Force Opportunities for women increased especially in the cities. By 1900, one out of five women worked. The garment industry

was popular as were office work, retail, and education. In the Factories Women had found their way into the factories to help make money for their families Often excluded from union membership Often worked in garment industry

Paid about as much as men Some sought an education which would open more doors for them in the future Women Lead Reform Many of the leading Progressive reformers were women. Middle and upper

class women entered the public sphere after graduating from the new womens colleges. Colleges like Vassar and Smith allowed women to excel Women and Reform Women reformers

strove to improve conditions at work and home. In 1896, black women formed the National Association of Colored Women (NACW). Suffrage was another important issue for women.

Woman Suffrage Before 1920 Three-Part Strategy for Winning Suffrage Suffragettes tried three approaches to winning the vote: 1. Convincing state legislatures to adopt the vote.

2. Pursuing court cases to test 14th Amendment. 3. Pushing for a national Constitutional Amendment. Womens Suffrage After a long hard fought battle for voting equality the 19th

Amendment was finally passed in 1920 granting women full suffrage in all political elections