Women's role in America's History (Essay Sample)

American History
Women’s role in America’s History
Author
University
Abstract
The making of America is characterized by numerous significant events through history. These events many times are initiated by people who see the need for change or who reach an ultimatum and say ‘enough is enough’. At other times, the events create the heroes. American history documents events championed by women. Women participation in events that helped shape America is significant. Events such as the American Revolution, Industrial Revolution, and the gender equality movement of the mid 1800s involving Elizabeth C. Stanton all have women involvement in them. History documents many activities by women in business, career, and education that has seen them overcome gender oppression to excel and liberate not only women, but men. To date the fight for excellence by women is still being demonstrated as they continuously aim for higher achievement.
Key words: American History; Industrial Revolution; American Revolution.
Women’s role in America’s History
America today has a significant number of prominent and successful women dotting its business, political and professional topographies. Public figures like Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, Carol White and many others are easily recognized for their immense achievements in their respective fields, and serve as reminders to what women can achieve in today’s world. They are without doubt an inspiration to many other women. This success by women entrepreneurs and leaders might give a false impression that such women success has been a feature of the American economy throughout history (Blaszczyk, 2002). Indeed, the rise of the woman has been a gradual process involving a myriad of transformations. Spearheaded by prominent feminist advocates, and invigorated by economic and political development, the woman has strove to free herself from societal chains that traditionally confined her to the domestic domain.
Women’s roles in the workforce and in business has for many decades been defined by a cultural mindset about women’s place in society. From the early 1800s, the prevalent notion was that women’s appropriate place was the home. They were expected to play ‘second fiddle’ to men giving them support by creating healthful households for nurturing. Women were expected to be home makers dedicating their energies to creating havens for husbands and sons from hard work and nurturing daughters to be responsible mothers (Blaszczyk, 2002).
In their capacity as homemakers women still played significant roles in America’s society. The 1775 letter by Rachel Revere to her husband Paul Revere is one example of women giving support to those in the forefront of a struggle (Grunwald, L., & J. Adler, S. J.,2005). Paul had been captured by British colonial authorities after making a remarkable midnight ride warning his countrymen of an impending British attack. His action marshalled troops for the American Revolution, which began the following morning. Even though Rachel’s letter fell into the hands of the authorities instead of reaching its intended recipient, it shows a great effort by her to send financial help to her husband who had been released with neither money nor means of transport. She in effect, gave tremendous support to a man who helped marshal the American army for the American Revolution where the British army were kept at bay. If it were not for Paul and his wife, America would have been colonised then (Grunwald, L., & J. Adler, S. J.,2005).
The societal beliefs about women in the 19 century were so strong that they were transferred to the public domain. Outside of the home or farm life, women were confined to particular jobs that suited their motherhood status. The legal arena was not safe either. Combined with British common law, this set of beliefs had a great impact on property access rights to married women (Blaszczyk, 2002). These factors created barriers in women’s careers and directed them to pursue certain jobs, which to common perception were suitable for women rather than men. This gave rise to women dominating certain careers and businesses like librarianship, nursing, businesses and professions that involved making and serving of food, and midwifery. The trend became common by mid 1800s resulting in a window of opportunity for female job seekers, but at the same time creating a framework within which women were to operate (Blaszczyk, 2002).
The period of time between 1820 and 1920 was characterised by rapid industrial growth in America. Many big businesses rose transforming America into a leading economy globally. Some of the notable businesses include International harvester, Standard Oil, AT&T, and Sears Roebuck. Often referred to as the Industrial revolution, this period also saw a big boom in women’s involvement in entrepreneurship and employment. This period also witnessed the expansion of federal and local government (Blaszczyk, 2002).
The industrial growth as well as development of state laws created a good environment to inspire business growth and define women’s place in business. More women began working away from home, but still were influenced by the society’s expectation of them. Typical jobs that they found were: labouring in factories, sales, and departmental supervision or as clerks. Some women established their own companies and thereby becoming managers. Many of these businesses focused on selling home or personal adornment products. Most of them however did not last long in the face of women marginalization. Some however withstood the challenges and created a niche in America’s market. An example is Madam C. J. Walker who established a cosmetics company for black skinned people (Blaszczyk, 2002).
The 1970s saw an increase in legislation about equal opportunities as a result of the uprising of feminist movements. Advocacy for women equal rights was a fight that had began more than a century before by such luminaries like Elizabeth C. Stanton (Stanton 1848). Her famous address at a convention attended by over 300 delegates in New York, Seneca Falls, was historical in the fight for women’s rights. This speech was the first address by the new women’s rights movement and it gave impetus to the revolution that ended women slavery. Her great oratory skills demonstrated the inherent ability in a ‘mere woman’ never witnessed before. Amongst oppressions that she fought against are women’s voting rights, sexual freedom, and social equality (Stanton 1848).
The greatest changes came in the last 60 years of the 20th century. The business status of women changed significantly following equal rights movements in that period of time. After the Second World War, more women gained employment and some secured managerial positions in American companies which had global reach. Catalysed by feminist movement activities and subsequent societal change in ideolo...