American History: Women Activism during Progressive Era - Term Paper Example

This era was characterized by exploitation by big businesses to the working population, industrial interference, and even cultural intrigues. Despite Roosevelt’s attempts to change the mood of the American population towards work, it merely became futile attempt to the already worn out American population. Despite the fact that President Roosevelt was the leading light in the progressive reforms, progresitivism was a collection of likeminded ideas and this was the main thread that had knit them together.

For the first time, one undisputable event occurred in the American history and this was the hands on participation of the American women population. One major injustice to women prior to the progressive era was the scuttled right to vote. Nevertheless, they still made remarkable contribution in shaping what can be referred in this instance as the public policy (Foner p. 687). Their participation in the establishment of the public institutions can also not be overlooked during this period. For instance, under the umbrella of organizations, which included, The National Consumers League, The Young Women Christian Association, women that were progressive in ideals were vocal in protesting against children exploitation through child labor.

Not to be ignored under this circumstance too was also the women’s suffrage campaign. . Women under the banner of Home protection moved from fighting for prohibition of alcohol, which they claimed, squared men’s salaries and misleaded them in that they treated their women abusively. This time, they demanded comprehensive program of political and economic reform including the right to vote. For instance, Frances Willard declared that women had a right to join political movements since it is where they belonged (Foner p.702). During the progressive era, they advocated for women’s equality in employment, politics, and education.

During the progressive era, Women engaged actively in urban places at work place, entertainment spots like dance halls and cinemas; this showed that traditional gender roles were changing dramatically at this time in America. More women were working for wages in that more black women still worked as domestic servants while for native born women, the kind of work available expanded enormously showing how progressive era influenced them (Foner p. 734). During the progressive period, feminism movements emerged in that feminist alliance constructed homes aimed at freeing women from constrains of home.

In addition, feminists staged an attack on traditional rules of sexual behavior by adding new dimension to discussion of personal freedom. Women published articles in magazines, formed discussion groups and attended experimental theatres, which aimed to foster the spirit of women emancipation from prejudices of the nineteenth century. During this time, at the famed salon in heiress Mabel Dodge’s New York living room, women gathered to discuss with equal passion issues such as labor unrest, sexual liberation and modern trends in the arts to show their freedom from discriminatory society dominated by men (Foner p. 746). Progressive