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Questions and Answers
What significant event occurred on August 18th, 1920, that marked a milestone for women's rights in the United States?
What significant event occurred on August 18th, 1920, that marked a milestone for women's rights in the United States?
The 19th amendment was passed, giving women the right to vote under the same rules as men.
What was the percentage increase in women's workforce participation between 1920 and the late 1920s?
What was the percentage increase in women's workforce participation between 1920 and the late 1920s?
1.5% (from 8.3% to 9.8%)
What was the name of the organization established in 1920 to improve working conditions for women, and what was its purpose?
What was the name of the organization established in 1920 to improve working conditions for women, and what was its purpose?
The Women's Bureau of Labor; its purpose was to improve working conditions and promote wider improvements for women.
What was the limitation of the women's suffrage movement in the 1920s, in terms of racial demographics?
What was the limitation of the women's suffrage movement in the 1920s, in terms of racial demographics?
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What was the name of the camp established in 1933 to provide jobs for young women, and how many women were involved by 1936?
What was the name of the camp established in 1933 to provide jobs for young women, and how many women were involved by 1936?
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What was the primary objective of Fannie Peck's Housewives Leagues in Detroit in 1930?
What was the primary objective of Fannie Peck's Housewives Leagues in Detroit in 1930?
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How did the wages of black women compare to those of white men and women during the Great Depression?
How did the wages of black women compare to those of white men and women during the Great Depression?
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What was the significance of the Lanham Act's childcare provision in 1941, and how did it impact women's employment during World War II?
What was the significance of the Lanham Act's childcare provision in 1941, and how did it impact women's employment during World War II?
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What was the outcome for many women who continued to work after World War II, particularly in terms of their pay and social status?
What was the outcome for many women who continued to work after World War II, particularly in terms of their pay and social status?
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What was the significance of the shift in public opinion towards women's employment, as reflected in the survey results from 1936 to 1942?
What was the significance of the shift in public opinion towards women's employment, as reflected in the survey results from 1936 to 1942?
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Study Notes
Women's Rights in the 1920s
- 19th amendment passed on August 18, 1920, giving women the right to vote
- Office jobs increased for women, with many working in typing pools
- Women's Bureau of Labor was established in 1920 to improve working conditions and advocate for women's rights
- Percentage of women in the workforce rose from 8.3% to 9.8%
Limitations of Women's Rights in the 1920s
- Poorer women often didn't vote, and if they did, they often followed their husbands' instructions
- Very few black women voted, with mainly educated white women benefiting from the 19th amendment
- Many people still believed that women shouldn't take jobs away from men
- Women were often paid very low wages for their work
- Married women were banned from certain jobs, such as teaching
Impact of WW1 on Women
- Women had opportunities to work during the war
- However, after the war, many women were fired to make way for returning soldiers
- Women were paid significantly less than men for the same work
Women's Rights in the 1930s
- Eleanor Roosevelt established Camp Tera in 1933, providing jobs for young women in forestry
- By 1936, there were 36 camps taking in around 5000 women
- Fannie Peck set up Housewives Leagues in Detroit, encouraging women to shop at black-run stores and helping those in need
- However, during the Great Depression, unemployment was high, wages fell, and prices rose
- Restricting hours for women often led to them breaking the rules and getting fired
- Black women faced significant barriers to employment, with some being edged out of jobs by desperate whites
- Women earned significantly less than men, with black women earning only 23 cents for every dollar a white man earned
Women's Rights in the 1940s and WW2
- Women showed that they could do men's work well, and the percentage of married women working rose from 12% to 23%
- The Women's Land Army of America was reformed, and the number of black women on nursing courses increased significantly
- However, many employers refused to hire black women, and some white women refused to work with them
- The Lanham Act's childcare provisions were extended, but childcare provisions were eventually stopped in 1946
- The "Rosie the Riveter" poster became a symbol of women's contributions to the war effort
Women's Rights in the 1950s and Post-War
- Female employment rose again for married women between 45-54 years old
- Restrictions on jobs like teaching were never reinstated
- Black and non-white women who were trained continued to work after the war, mainly in domestic and farming work
- However, many women were not re-employed after the war, and returning soldiers often wanted their jobs back
- Married women who continued working were often paid significantly less than men
- Women who worked were often excluded from social groups in the suburbs
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Description
Explore the significant advancements and challenges faced by women in the 1920s, including the 19th amendment and increased office jobs. Discover the rise of flappers and the limitations of poorer women.
