Women's Role In The Progressive Era

From the progressive trailblazers who fought for suffrage in the late 19th century and early 20th century, to the fearless nurses who aided our soldiers in the first World War, women had worked tirelessly in the Progressive Era to redefine their cultural expectations and social image. Starting with the 15th amendment to the Constitution, an era of nonstop effort was made in civil rights to reform both legislation and social expectations concerning the equality of all people. Women played an integral role in this era and their efforts have helped to shape society to the way it is today.

The 15th amendment, adopted between 1869 and 1870, gave African American men the right to vote. Although this was a huge step forward in civil rights, progressive women at the time were upset that Congress took to barring racial discrimination but not gender discrimination. This fueled the early feminist movement, which was spearheaded by such women as Susan B. Anthony, who was arrested after attempting to vote in 1872. Such radical actions showed women at large across the United States, especially those progressive women who belonged to social clubs, that such action was necessary and necessary
After being married twice, she understood the social stigma that divorced women had to bear, not being bound to a man. This would lead her to being a vocal proponent for women’s rights, and eventually the United States’ first female presidential candidate. Running for the Equal Rights Party in 1872, she spoke publicly against the government being an all-male institution and supported the concept of free love for women, who experienced double standards when it came to their romantic lives that men did not have to face. She would eventually not win the election, but did leave a standard for many progressive women to aspire