Significant changes for women took place in politics, the home, the workplace, and in education during the 1920s. Many women believed that it was their right and duty to take a serious part in politics. They recognized, that political decisions affected their daily lives. Even though they were slow to use their newly won voting rights, by the end of the decade, women were represented on local, state, and national political committees and were influencing the political agenda of the federal government.
Public acceptance of wage-earning jobs for young unmarried women was growing. Women began to perform clerical work in offices and retail work in shops and department stores. It became acceptable for working girls to live away from their families. Some young married women worked until they had children. Working for wages gave women independence, and by 1930 one in four women held a paying job.
Public acceptance of wage-earning jobs for young unmarried women was growing. Women began to perform clerical work in offices and retail work in shops and department stores. It became acceptable for working girls to live away from their families. Some young married women worked until they had children. Working for wages gave women independence, and by 1930 one in four women held a paying job.
The 19th Amendment
The 19th amendment was ratified in 1920 and prohibited any U.S. citizen to be denied the right to vote based on sex.
Women began speaking up for themselves and take on a new role in society not just as a "homemaker." More women were getting jobs, playing sports, wearing looser and shorter clothes, and getting different hairstyles.
Women began speaking up for themselves and take on a new role in society not just as a "homemaker." More women were getting jobs, playing sports, wearing looser and shorter clothes, and getting different hairstyles.
Flappers
A flapper was a woman in the 1920s who wore short skirts, bobbed their hair, and listened to jazz. Being a flapper was not just a fashion statement it was a lifestyle. Flappers would wear what was considered excessive make up, smoke cigarettes, and drive automobiles. All these things were against the "social norm."