The Suffrage of Women From the late 19th century to the 20th century

National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA)

1868

Elizabeth Stanton and Susan B. Anthony were aggressive for the suffrage of women. They formed the NWSA. Both fought for the suffrage of women to occur immediately, not at a future date. The western territories in America were already granting women suffrage. Suffrage for women started with Wyoming in 1869. (MM)

American Equal Rights Association

1870

Even though the 15th amendment focused primarily on the right to vote for African American men, women activists took advantage of the 15th amendment to bring suffrage to all American women. However, it took some time until suffrage for women was realized. Thus, the American Equal Rights Association was formed to push equal rights to all American citizens in particular the right to vote for women. (MM)

Literature

1899

The Progressive era opened the opportunity for women to be outspoken. One who was not fearful was Kate Chopin who published the Awakening. She was criticized and her book was neglected due to the portrayal of the main character struggling with conventional roles of women. Chopin' novel clearly exemplified feminism. (MM)

Fire Triangle Shirtwaist Company

Mar 25, 1911

The fire killed 146 women at the Asch building in New York City brought attention to the public. This event gave an advantage for Florence Kelly to push to the government the need for safety at work.(MM)

Children's Bureau

1912

Due to the increasing rate of poverty and illness in the urban areas, settlement homes were established. They were mainly held by upper class women who sought to help the working class especially women with basic rights. For example, Florence Kelly and Lillian Wald created the National Child Labor Committee to bring awareness to child labor. Later the Children's Bureau Department was signed into law by President William Taft. (MM)

19th Amendment

1919

The tirelessly efforts of women activists eventually led to women suffrage. The combination efforts of Catherine Catt and Alison Paul brought into the picture the 19th Amendment. Women were given the right to vote. (MM)

Clarence Birdseye

1924

Not only did the invention of frozen food by Clarence Birdseye changed the way how women shopped and prepared food but it open the road to the modern women's movement. It allowed women to have more time and energy for education, employment to name just a few. This shaped the course of influential women to build the foundation of the modern women's movement. (MM)