Women Civil Rights

• Women's situation Pre 1917

  Treated like second class citizens, no vote, little opportunities to work, paid less then men, occupations like teachers were barred from married women, when US troops came back from war women had to give up working in factories
• Flappers

  Young women in the 1920s who challenged social traditions with their dress and behaviour e.g. they smoke, drank, drove, went to speakeasies, had short hair, wore short dresses - they were only a small percentage of women
• Why only a small percentage of women could participate in the flapper culture?

  Only attainable to middle class white women, many women were controlled by their husbands
• What was the effect of the Great Depression on women's roles?

  Many wives had to start work to supplement their husbands income, many women kept their jobs since they were cheaper to keep, the most poorest women worked 10 hours a say against federal regulations
• What was the WBL?

  Women's Bureau of Labour
• What did the Women's bureau of labour?

  Fought for the rights and welfare of working women
• When was the Women's bureau of Labour formed?

  1920
• What was the effect of the New Deal on women?

  it provided opportunities to increase their political influence, but didn't end gender discrimination in the workplace, Camp Terra programme 1933, Aid for Families with Dependent Children established
• How many jobs did the Camp Terra programme provide by 1936?

  5000
• What was the situation of black women during the 1930s?

  Paid less than white women, had the worst jobs out of any group
• National Housewives Leagues

  Created by Fannie Peck to tackle economic hardship faced by her peers and encouraged women to boycott any businesses which discriminated against African Americans
• How did women's roles change during WW2?

  'Rosie the Riveter' era, women in the workforce raised from 27 - 37%, once the war ended women were forced to return to their life at home, women would work in munitions factories as well as the armed forced
• Women in the Military WW2


  Flew planes, worked in factories, worked as nurses, transported cargo - they were urged to go join the military by Eleanor Roosevelt and influenced by women's efforts in Britain
• WAACs

  The Women's Army Axillary Corps , Women being in the army changed their roles in society and gained them new respect. Formed in 1942. By 1945 there was more than 100,000 members.
• WAVES

  Women Appointed for Volunteer Emergency Service in the Navy
• WASPs

  women airforce service pilots - became the first women to fly American military aircraft
• Lanham Act of 1940

  Provided funds for childcare while mothers worked and dads fought in the war.
• Working conditions of women during WW2

  Staggered work hours for working mothers to go grocery shopping that were closed by the time they had finished working, Lanham Act 1940, government sponsored childcare centres, not all women were treated equally - black women found white women were not always welcoming, paid less than men
• Rosie the Riveter

  A propaganda character designed to increase production of female workers in the factories. It became a rallying symbol for women to do their part. She's would be seen in newspapers, posters and articles to stress the patriotic need for women to do their part.
• How many women worked in the aircraft industry during WW2?

  Over 310,000
• Life for women post WW2?

  A return to rigid gender roles, the baby boom and suburban living
• How many Americans were born during the 'boom' period post WW2?

  77 million - many Americans were eager to have children because they were confident that the future promised peace and prosperity
• When was the baby boom?

  1945-1960
• Rigid gender roles for women post WW2?

  Critiqued for wanting a career, women referred to 'man hating' or 'unlovely', women left the workforce - voluntarily + unwillingly, in the 1960s more married women in the workforce than before, many families wanted women to work for extra income but felt the pressure from society telling them to stay home
• Suburban Lifestyle

  G.I Bill subsidised low cost mortgages for many returning soldiers (cheaper to buy), perfect for young families as they had open floor plans and other attractive features, G.I bill didn't aid black veterans much - increasing gap in wealth
• Suburban life for women 1950s + 1960s

  Women weren't satisfied, the 1950s boom had a confining affect on women, magazines and advice books urged women to leave the workforce to embrace their 'roles' of being wives and mothers - most paramount job for women was for them to bare children, these expectations began to fester a dissatisfaction in women who yearned for a more fulfilling life
• When was 'The Feminine Mystique' written and who wrote it?

  Written in 1963 by Betty Friedan
• When was the rebirth of the feminist movement?

  1960s after 'The feminine Mystique' came out
• The women's land army

  1917-1919
• How many women worked in agriculture in 1943?

  3 million as reported by the Women's bureau of Labour
• Did African Americans live in suburbs?

  When trying to buy in 'white neighbourhoods' they were rejected and subjected to racism
• What evidence is there to say suburbs grew rapidly during the 1950s?

  19 million more people lived in suburbs by the end of the 50s compared to the start of the
• What percentage of women left work post WW2?

  50%
• Why did many women leave work post WW2?

  Pressure from society, federal provided daycare closed in 1946
• What post WW2 jobs did women work in?

  Clerical, domestic or shop work (also typing pools which was more common amongst young women)
• Black and white women in the workplace?

  Black women were subject to discrimination and segregation which was insistent by white women but black women could now receive training
• When did women get the right to vote?

  1920, 19th amendment
• What was the national organisation for women?

  Founded in 1966 - they fought for women to have a prominent voice in the mainstream US society, they used the same tactics the suffragettes had used, used non violent civil disobedience and contacted local officials
• What was the women's liberation movement?

  A collective struggle for equality, its aim was to free women from oppression and male supremacy, it operated during the 1970s many working class and non white women felt excluded from this movement which led to separate movements being formed during the 70s however non of them made any significant national impact
• What does the term liberation mean?

  'the action of setting someone free from imprisonment, slavery or oppression'. This term is significant since for the movement it meant they were fighting imprisonment of their lives and oppression from the male dominated society.