Before 1929, Women enjoyed fewer rights compared to men. However, things were getting into place as time passed by. More rights were being envisaged on women as various revelations were being realized. The aspect did not come with ease though. Women had to stand tall and fight for what they thought they deserved during the period. Acquiring some aspects was difficult in a society dominated by men to a great extent. Male chauvinism was on a high note hence creating obstacles for women to posses various rights (Henretta, Brody, Dumenil & Fernlund, 2008).
Women’s rights can be clearly examined by way a studying various documents. Among the documents is the women’s suffrage that took effect between 1873 -1875. Upon the passage of this document, women had the right to get married, own property and have custody of their children. The right to get married was bestowed upon women that felt they were of appropriate age. No woman was entitled to forceful marriage under any circumstance. Marriage was believed to be instituted through mutual consent between man and woman involved. Both black and white women had equal rights regarding marriage aspects. However, racial prejudice acted as a stumbling block. This aspect acted in a way that prevented insurance of the rights in practice. This is because Black women were considered to be inferior compared to the White.
Every woman either married or not had the right to keep custody of their children. Women were largely considered as individuals, to take care of their homes. Children had been included under this scope. Men had no right of denying women this privilege regardless of their marriage life status. During this period, women’s legal status was heavily dependent on their marital status. Widows and unmarried women were considered as “women alone” (Henretta, Brody, Dumenil & Fernlund, 2008). This type of women enjoyed more rights compared to the married ones. The issue was more vivid when it came to the ownership of property.
Unmarried women had the legal right of supporting themselves, and leaving wherever they felt bets suits them. They did not require a college degree or a license as opposed to men during the period. Single women had the right to buy and sell real estate, act as executors, sue and be sued and write wills among others. However, marriage changed many things included in these rights. The legal rights were there, but autonomy was not enhanced. The issue affected many women since a majority of them got married. At this time, marriage was highly respected and desired by many.
The 14th Amendment on its part extended the rights of women to another level. The document had been opposed by a significant number of men before it was institutionalized. Some regions gave women voting rights in school elections. Initially, no region in the country could have condemned this aspect. This occurred since they were viewed inferior and their decisions were best served by the male counterparts. Among the regions that enhanced this was Kentucky and Kansas. The occurrence in these regions prompted women in other regions to voice out their desires of being treated in a similar way. They used various techniques and strategies in their efforts. Minimal progress was achieved since no one was willing to listen to these demands. Top positions were occupied by men and they were not willing to let this happen. Later on in 1894, Ohio also gave women the mandate to vote at the school board elections (Henretta, Brody, Dumenil & Fernlund, 2008). It was an indication that this aspect would translate to all regions in the country.
Another document that played a crucial part in enhancing the rights of women is the 19th Amendment. At the early 20th century, the rights bestowed on women started to increase significantly. President Wilson urged the congress to pass amendments for the voting rights. Many states embraced the move as various aspects were put into consideration. The 19th Amendment of the United States constitution was ratified, in 1920 (Henretta, Brody, Dumenil & Fernlund , 2008). Initially, women did not have the right to vote. After the ratification, of this amendment things changed. All the changes seemed to favor women in one way or another. Through the process, they gained the right to vote. This right prompted that they would elect any leader that they deemed fit for the job without being victimized. The era of men making voting decisions for them had come to pass.
The 19th Amendment contained clauses that allowed women to participate in other different activities and professions. In 1921, additional rights were allowed upon women. During this year, women were allowed to practice as pilots. Such instances could not have been heard in the past. Men were the only ones with this privilege since they had the mandate of exercise the art during war. Amelia Earhart was the first women to undertake the flying lesson. The lesson was received from Neta Snook. It acted as a great opening for other women in the years that followed (Henretta, Brody, Dumenil & Fernlund , 2008). The realization was that women had the ability of doing what their male counterparts were doing during that time.
Women workers received the right to attend school during the same year. This was initiated by the establishment of the Bryn Mawr Summer School. The right for these studies opened the minds of great women. Various realizations resulted in increased growth, in the country. A notion that empowering women is equivalent to empowering the whole nation emerged from this time period. The right to exercise birth control also emerged during this time. Initially, the society had not embraced this notion. Some families were exceedingly large, resulting to pressure on the resources available.
In 1925, women had the right to get involved with highly ranked professions in the country. Florence Sabin was the first female member in the National Academy of Sciences. Initially, these posts were not open to women. This is because their qualifications were not being considered. The society viewed men as only relevant individuals to execute the necessary duties at these levels. Nellie Taylor also became the first female governor in United States, in 1925. This was a great breakthrough. It was an indication that even men had started to believe in the abilities of women in society. She had developed a blueprint which her fellow women would follow in quest of exercising their rights of being elected in public positions (Henretta, Brody, Dumenil &Fernlund, 2008).
Economics was viewed as the major contributor to the increased rights possessed by women as opposed to politics. Between 1920 and 1928, many families abandoned their homes at the farms and moved to the cities. The economic role that women played diminished significantly, as a result. This was brought about since they could no longer work on farms as there were none in the city. However, things had to change with many difficulties that arose during this time. Many families were struggling to make ends meet. The adaptation to life at the city was not easy. Women had to assume different roles and paid work outside in order to increase the earnings. The aspect continued, and it all became normal for women to work outside their homes. It became more of a right to them than a helping hand to the male counterparts.
Work Cited
Henretta James, Brody David, and Dumenil Lynn and Furnland Kevin. Documents to accompany America's history. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2008.
