During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, women began joining national organizations in large numbers. Women of all backgrounds took part in these organizations, including the National American Women's Suffrage Association, the National Association Opposed to Women's Suffrage, and the National Association of Colored Women. One of the most popular during this time was The Woman's Christian Temperance Movement, which aimed to make alcohol illegal. With multiple backgrounds and goals, the Women's Progressive Movement would bring many changes to the US.
Women and Progressivism History
From the 1890s to the 1920s, women joined multiple political and social movements to end political corruption, improve the lives of the country's people, and increase government intervention to protect citizens. The period is known as the "Progressive Era." Though it was viewed as "violent" and "inappropriate" to protest or speak out, women began to do it more and more during these years. Luckily, as the years went on, female activism became embraced by more people.
Did you know?
Women of the American Suffrage Movement inspired Progressivists to protest despite the possible consequences. During the Suffrage Movement, many women were beaten and assaulted for making their opinions known to the public.
Though the movements often disagreed with each other about the extent or the answer to some of the country's problems, there were many themes they had in common. Temperance, Abolitionism, Women's Suffrage, and social welfare were some of the most prominent.
Many of the problems were closely associated with the urbanized areas of the US, where alcoholism, unsafe and discriminatory working conditions, and poverty ran rampant. Groups of Christians, Jews, African Americans, and many more reached out into their communities to rally together for change.
Women and Progressivism Goals
The overarching goal of all the Progressive movements was to enhance the quality of life for all individuals, including children, immigrants, people of color, and women. Many women pushed for child labor laws to be implemented to get children out of dangerous work environments like factories and railroads.
Child Laborer - Spinner in South Carolina
After the ending of the Abolitionist movement in 1865, women pushed for anti-discrimination regulations to ensure that black men and women would have the same rights as white men and women (though this would not reach much success until the Civil Rights Movement of 1954-1968).
The slums of the new, developing cities were disproportionately filled with people of color and immigrants so women aimed to turn that around. They often looked to Europe to see how their countries handled urbanization and the environments they created.
Finally, women wanted the guaranteed right to vote. With all of the change that was needed in the US, women wanted a way to ensure that their opinions counted once and for all.
Women and Progressivism Suffrage
Though the idea of Women's Suffrage was around long before 1848, the Seneca Falls Convention held in New York marked its official beginning as a national movement. Women wanted the world to see them as more than just traditional mothers, wives, and caregivers and to show their value in politics and the workplace. Suffragists protested, lobbied, and held speeches across the US and even sometimes overseas, which created a "Global Sisterhood."
Although sounding inclusive, the "Global Sisterhood" failed to involve women of color and any women that spoke a language aside from English, German, or French.
Suffragists also leaned in two different directions, those fighting for an amendment added to the Constitution, and those fighting for legislation in individual states. These two groups also had two subcategories, those who protested quietly and those who were very vocal, taking huge inspiration from English militant suffrage groups.
Using the 14th and 15th Amendments, Suffragists attempted to prove their right (as well as the right for people of color) to vote in US elections. These amendments were both denied by Congress in granting this right.
14th Amendment - "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States..."
15th Amendment - “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”
Women and Progressivism Role
Women and progressivism's roles were to enhance the lives of American citizens as much as possible, which happened through multiple group associations and movements. Inspired by the American Revolution (1775 - 1783) and the French Revolution (1789 -1799), women challenged the US government's forgetfulness of women and people of color. Both Revolutions revolved around social, political, and economic reform, just like the progressive movement's goals.
Listed below are some influential, progressive reformers and their roles in making a change.
| Progressive Woman | Role & Influence |
| Elizabeth Cady Stanton was in charge of the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 and is credited with the founding of the "National American Woman Suffrage Association." |
| Jane Addams can be credited with the creation of Chicago's "Hull-House," a settlement house that gave education and services to local immigrants. |
| Ida B. Wells-Barnett was a journalist, activist, and researcher that led a large campaign against the lynching of African Americans. Throughout her career, she openly fought sexism, racism, and violence. |
| Margaret Sanger argued for birth control improving family life for the working classes; accessible birth control meant fewer accidental pregnancies and fewer children to feed and house. |
| Charlotte Hawkins Brown was an author and educator who spent her career ensuring that Black children could have access to good education and resources. |
| Florence Kelley had been a social activist since childhood and spend her life fighting for laws to protect women in the workplace. |
Women and Progressivism Accomplishments
The Progressive Era and its women made many significant accomplishments in the US economy, society, and politics over the years. Listed below are a handful of these achievements that would inspire many more movements, even to this day.
- Labor for young children was prohibited in 1916.
- Laws were passed guaranteeing safe and fair working conditions for all employees.
- The 19th Amendment was passed, finally granting women their right to vote in 1919.
- Attention was brought to the oppressed poor and racial minorities of the country. This also encouraged more social activism among African Americans in the US.
- Industries, such as the railroads and pharmaceuticals became regulated.
- The Prohibition lasted from 1920 - 1933 (a temporary accomplishment for the Women's Christian Temperance Movement).
Women and Progressivism - Key Takeaways
- The Progressive Era took place from the late 19th century to the early 20th century (1890 - 1920).
- Women in progressivism had many different goals and outlooks concerning the US economy, society, and politics/government, but they shared a common goal of enhancing the lives of citizens.
- Women's Suffrage and Women's Progressivism took inspiration from the American and French Revolutions, which challenged the role, treatment, and influence of government over the people.
- The Progressive Era would make many changes that would inspire movements for years to come.
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