Role of Women in the 19th century essays

Role of Women in the 19th century essays The nineteenth century started a wave of revolution. Advancements were being made in almost every aspect of daily life. People could use electric lights, travel across the country on a railroad, or make use of the new method of transportation, the automobile. Perhaps one of the greatest advancements made in this period of one hundred years was the role women played in society. They were no longer bound to their households, doing daily chores. Instead, they were out there, among the masses, making a difference, and trying to change the way they were viewed. What started as a wave of women entering the workforce, led to women finding their own political voice, and eventually uniting under a common cause. In the wake of the industrial age, many job opportunities became available for women. Inventions such as the telephone switchboard and the typewriter yielded millions of jobs. Middle class women, who had previously been confined to the chores of the household, were now working. This became the new face of women, out in the workforce and independent. The new image was glorified with the creation of the Gibson Girl, a magazine image that romanticized this new concept. These advancements did have their downside. Women were forced to work the same grueling hours as their male counterparts, but with lower wages. However, women entering the working world was just the beginning. Greater things were still to come. With immigration at a rise, and Americas acceptance of the immigrants lagging behind, it was up to a few very ingenious women to make a difference. Jane Adams, who was among the first generation of women to attend and graduate from college sought out to help the large urban population. She attained the old Hull Mansion located in Chicago and transformed it into the Hull House in 1889. At the Hull House she tried to help the new immigrant population acclimate to life in America. This became known as a settlement...