In the 1920's women went from conservative styles of dress to what was said to be
sexually explicit. These women were known as flappers. They wore make-up, cut their hair really short, and began to smoke in public. One famous flapper was the "It Girl", 
Clara Bow. She
received this name because she had everything including sex appeal. The 19th Amendment, established in 1920, created a new era for women. They were
guaranteed the right to vote.
In the 1960's rose the era of feminism. The 60's also gave way to a new fashion trend. The women wore miniskirts with colorful fishnet stockings, beads, headbands, and boots. In 1960 a government commission was established to provide equal opportunities for women. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was originally for blacks was extended toward women also. It was during the 1960's that women started to work outside the home. Inflation made it necessary for women to work. The rise in inflation made it next to impossible to survive without two incomes.
Women in the Labor Force
% of all workers % of all women
1920 20 23
1960 33 36
The struggle for women's suffrage has been a long one. The passing of the nineteenth amendment proved to be a jump start on what women would accomplish over the years. It helped the female population to prove to society that they were able to contribute to what was going on in the country. Women have come a long way, but there are still obstacles to overcome. There are still people that feel some women should not be allowed to do all the same things that men do. Until the day all women are treated equal, the fight for equal rights will continue.
Terra H. Heather R.
A wealth of Women's issues and feminism links can be found here.
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