An Introduction to Women's Rights in the early 20th Century

My initial reaction to the news that my partner and I were assigned to research Women’s Rights was surprise. Never did I think that my three male partners would choose such a subject. This fact only furthered my interest in the topic; why should a woman be surprised at a man showing interest in her history?

Feeling more personally connected to the cause, I began my research. I began by searching on Google.com, putting in the key words “Women’s Rights, 20^th Century.” Not surprisingly, almost every hit was about women’s rights within the US. Every link that looked promising proved me wrong; I was astounded by the lack of women’s global history. While some articles and essays did provide little mentions of happenings in other countries, I found very few which were dedicated to women’s rights specifically to a country other than the United States. I would like to identify this now, and make sure that my presentation does not reflect similarly; rather, I think it should be a fair representation and analysis of women’s rights in many countries.

Throughout history, women have had a highly debated roll within society. Epochs have come and gone, each ushering in or reverting back to a new set of rules regarding women. As previously cited by my brother from another mother, or my partner from another class, William Schlesinger, Spartans viewed their women as equal to men—participating in sports rather than tending to the children—while medieval times called for the opposite approach. This gives me pause—why the constant shifting? Why revert backwards, rather than progress? While I am aware that women’s rights have certainly progressed over time, I cannot overlook the periods when the meticulous work of various revolutionaries’ was undone.

At the turn of the century, women’s rights were being pushed firmly by a few key leaders. These leaders, following on the coattails of their predecessors, only further pushed the messages and missions of their respective movements. In America, the National Women’s Suffrage Association had been established in 1869 by Elizabeth Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, giving women an established voice in the movement for women’s right to vote. By 1920, the U.S. Senate had ratified the 19^th Amendment, allowing women the right to vote. Women in New Zealand and Australia won the right to vote before 1900. The Woman’s Social and Political Union was formed in Great Britain in 1903. Countries all over the world were beginning to recognize women as more equal, specifically in respect to the right to vote.

While the beginning of the century began with a strong following dedicated to the advancement of women, World War I brought new troubles to deal with, causing the focus on women to be deterred. Women’s rights were put on hold as the world’s most powerful nations sought to build themselves back up again. The struggle for women’s rights was briefly reinstated after the war, but most focus was lost in the years following 1920.

The focus on women’s rights was once again brought up shortly thereafter, furthering women in their quest for equality. Today, women still struggle daily for rights; although most countries have awarded the right to vote to women, some still refuse. Equality is not only made obvious by whether women can vote or not; it is about women furthering their careers, being awarded equal pay to their male counterparts, and generally developing a picture of a woman who is not resigned to her kitchen. Today, women all over the world are pushing further and further for total equality, and those countries that are farther along helping others to follow in their paths.

Throughout this project, I hope to encounter more information about women’s rights that is not just about voting. I hope to uncover more information about women in the workplace; this would include investigation into salary and position, specifically. I would also like to address the issue of birth control, both in America and in other countries. After a little research, it is safe to say I am excited about my topic and the research that is to come.