“It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.... Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less.”
-Susan B. Anthony
From 1877 to 1945 American women began to stand up and demand an equal share in American democracy. Up until the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, women were excluded from politics (they had no voting rights and were unable to hold public office) and, as such, they were missing an element vital to integration into American society. Other aspects of society followed with being denied the right to vote and experiencing unequal opportunity in the workforce. Women were subject to the whims of the “male-ocracy” including fashion and sex. While some women successfully distanced themselves from these restrictions (most notably the female outlaws of the west and the hardened feminists) subjugation was the norm and society took its time in reversing its medieval misogyny.
While less crucial than the right to vote or the right to equal treatment in the work force, women were in need of cultural acceptance. In general, women were believed to be weak, and submissive. This typical strain of thought came through in sex, dress, and entertainment. This prevailing opinion was voiced by Margaret Sanger “No woman can call herself free who does not own and control her own body. No woman can call herself free until she can choose conscientiously whether she will or will not be a mother” (343). While Sanger’s motives in the promotion of birth control are shady (she is a known eugenicist) her general theory is, undoubtedly, sound. While women were subject to men sexually, it can be argued that other issues like voting and work force equality were impossible. In fashion, women of the 1800’s and early 1900’s were captive too. The constricting garments of earlier eras still held prominence and domination over the functionality and freedom of the modern woman. The revolution of the Gibson Girl style and the Flapper style in the 20’s would change this restriction into functionality. Though minor, the revolution in the fashion industry was a small step forward on the road to equality for women.
In the arena of government and economics men still reigned supreme. Although, that is not to say that women were not fighting in the political arena. Women like Susan B. Anthony (aged 80 in the era of women’s liberation), Crystal Eastman, Helen Keller, and Mother Jones (to a lesser extent) fought both for women’s suffrage and, in most cases, socialism in the United States. Joining together, women like Mother Jones, created powerful workers unions that would be proponents of a socialist system. Promoting socialism made sense to the feminists, as a socialist revolution in class hierarchy meant an equalization of wealth and luxury. This equalization would allow women to achieve (theoretically) the same amount of wealth as men. Howard Zinn represents this idea, “Once the economic base of sexual oppression was corrected [by socialism], would equality follow?”(342) and “The argument became sharper as the women’s movement of the early twenties grew, as women spoke out more, organized, protested, paraded—for the vote, and for recognition as equals in every sphere…”(342) While socialism would fail in the United States women did not give up. Continuing their campaign for equality they eventually picked up the banner of the populists who would, at long last, help to give women the right to vote. With the right to vote, came other freedoms. Middle class women, inspired by the struggles of the feminists and suffragettes, flocked to higher education, “They became doctors, college professors, settlement house workers, business women, lawyers and architects. Spirited by an intense sense of purpose as well as camaraderie they set a remarkable record of accomplishment in the face of overwhelming odds.” (Zinn-William Chafe, 343). With this increase in the general level of education of women came a demand for equality in the job market. While this may still pose a problem to society (even now there are instances of discrimination based on gender), it was granted, in large part, by employers looking ever more desperately for employees.
As Virginia Woolf once said, “For most of history, Anonymous was a woman.” It is a testament to the ingenuity of both women and the feminist movement in general that so much was achieved in such a short time. From 1877 to 1945 America did away with most gender restrictions, specifically those in fashion, the work force, politics, education, and even sex. Granted our history, as Virginia Woolf reminds us, was plagued by discrimination. However, we chose to do away with our unjust misogynistic ways. Sure, it took too long to realize our mistakes, but in the end, we managed to look beyond class, party affiliation, race and even sex, and realize our national hypocrisy. In the end, we chose “liberty and justice for all” over liberty and justice for few.
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