Women and Power Through the Years

By Liane

From the very beginning of US History until present day, women have been fighting for equal rights as well as contributing greatly to our country. In the 1770s, before the American Revolution, women helped challenge British power. The average woman would make a stand by boycotting British goods, such as tea and clothes made in Britain. There were even women who stood out publicly. Such was Mary Goddard, who first printed copies of the Declaration of Independence including signatures.

In time, women began to grow increasingly incensed at the absence of women's suffrage. That is to say, women did not have the right to vote. The first women's suffrage movement was in 1848 at the Seneca Falls Convention in New York. It was brought about by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. In this convention, Stanton presented her Declaration of Sentiments, featuring the call for greater women rights, especially suffrage for women.


Scene from Marry Poppins in which Mrs. Banks
sing of "Votes for Women", in reference to the
movement for women's suffrage


1913 Suffrage March, New York City

In 1920, more 50 years after the start of the women's suffrage movement, women finally gained the right to vote. The 19th Amendment was added to the Constitution, giving women the right that was so sought-after. However, this by no means granted women equality. From 1972 to 1982, women gradually began to work, instead of staying at home cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the children. But women were not paid equal salaries as men. The need for another amendment arose, and as such the Equal Rights Amendment was proposed. This would have given women the same social and economic rights as men, had it passed. Unfortunately, although millions defended it, the ERA was feared to bring about unwanted change. Because of this, the Equal Rights Amendment failed to be ratified for the Constitution.

Nevertheless, women have gained more and more equality every year. Taking a look at our society now, we see that women and men truly are more or less equal. Both men and women serve in Congress and the Senate, and women hold important positions socially and politically. Throughout the years, women have fought for, and eventually gained political power.

Women gain Political Power

Women played a critical role in U.S history in every way while they did not receive an equal rights as men did. Throughout the U.S history, women had fought for their equal rights, mainly political power.

In 1770s, during the years of revolution, many women had boycotted and protested against the British. For example, Sarah Morris Miffin, made threads by herself rather than using British one. Also, Mary Goddard took more active roles as a first printer of Declaration of Independence.

In 1848, noticing the unequal rights for women, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott started the first women suffrage movement in the Seneca Falls convention in New York. They demanded equal right for women in the Declaration of Sentiments.

During mid 20th century, many women wanted equal payment as men had which led women to start Equal Rights Amendment Movement(ERA) to ratify the law. Although many people supported the movement, it failed due to the fears for unwanted change. Despite the failure of ERA, many women serves in the congress. 60women and 12women were serving in both House and the senate in 2001.

By Jinwoo

women and political power

Women throughout time helped and worked towards justice for all citizens. They fought for the rights of others and whatever they felt would make this country better. Towards 1848 women were becoming aware of how little power and rights they had. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott were the first two women to begin the women’s suffrage movement. The women’s suffrage demanded greater rights for women and the right to vote. Finally in 1920 they got their right to vote, but that was not all that needed to be changed. Later in the mid-1900s women started to see that things were still unequal, there was unequal status and pay for equal work. Although the Equal Rights Amendment was well supported if failed to be ratified for the constitution. Even though the ERA failed many women have hold strong positions not only politically but socially and economically too. In the 107th congress about 60 women served in the house. Also about 13 served in the senate, this shows the big improvement over time.

written by: Micaela

Women's Rise to Power

Written by: Madelaine

As time goes on, women have finally realized that there is more to life than sewing, cooking and washing. The fight for equal rights between men and women has started with simple boycotts of tea and other ‘industrialized’ technology, such as sewing machines, in the 70’s. Other women have their husbands supporting their ideals and took more distinct actions in helping voice the problem out to everyone such as Sarah Morris Mifflin (right picture). Some, like, Cady Stanton as well as Lucretia Mott launched the suffrage movement in 1848. In hopes for not only equal rights, they specifically pursued the right to vote and have their opinions voiced out. They also pushed the matter of lack of suffrage for women and in 1920, they finally gained the 19^th Amendment. This amendment states that women can finally be free to vote for whomever they believe in.
When the 1900s rolled along, women have been fighting for same status and economic rights as men- such as higher work positions and political power. Factory women feels that there is a gap between salary when some can do better jobs and have better skills in factory than men. This led to more women supporting the movement and for them to be able not only to gain rights but equality and respect-same amount, as what men are rewarded to. Nowadays, there are 60 women serving in the House as Representatives and 13 serving in the Senate. This states that when people work together for the same cause for the better, they can overcome even the impossible obstacles.