American Women History

History of American Women

HIS 204 American History Since 1865
Instructor:

History of American Women Throughout most of history women in general have had fewer legal rights and career opportunities than men. Women were long considered much weaker than men, and incapable of performing work requiring muscular or intellectual development. However, when they were giving the opportunity for personal and intellectual freedom, women made significant achievements. Although a woman’s typical life path during this era was marriage and family, women began to see an increase in employment opportunities in society, because of war there was no longer so much discrimination against women. During the early part of the 19th century…show more content…
They wanted their image to change. An artist, Charles Dana Gibson believed that the Gibson Girl represented the loveliness of American women. The Gibson Girl influenced society in the early 1900's much like Barbie influenced society of the late 1900's. She was critiqued by many people; much like Barbie is today, for creating an unrealistic perfect image of what women should look like using picture-perfect proportions and long flowing hair. Regardless of the criticism she soon became a trend setter. She was a model for women in both dress and action, again just like Barbie. Some people disputed that "Gibson Girl" as a national standard for feminine beauty. They felt she would disturb social order but in fact most women welcomed the change (Gibson Girl, 2010). The caricature image became very popular representing American girls. She began to represent more than just beauty but freedom, independence and change within the role of our nation’s women. She showed strength along with beauty and brought forth a message that a woman could accomplish anything they wanted. The author Kate Chopin often identified with the Gibson Girl in most of her stories. She portrayed her as a strong woman who continually pushed against social norms in a mild convincing…show more content…
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Gibson Girl. (2010). In Encyclopedia of American Studies. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/jhueas/gibson_girl Hanson, C. (2011, November 26). Suffragette stockings reflect women's fight for the right to vote [Newsgroup message]. Retrieved from Derby Evening Telegraph. Derby (UK): p. 17 Rosie the Riveter [Library of Congress]. (2010, July 27). Retrieved