Blog # 11

1. Is it appropriate to speak about a “New Woman” in the 1920s? If so, what was new?

It is appropriate to speak about a “New Woman” in the 1920s because of it women were finally given the opportunity to be involved in politics, in voting, and having their voices heard. They were finally able to achieve different political job positions. For instance, “Women became officeholders, with a rare handful elected to Congress and more serving in various states, especially in positions earmarked as women’s jobs, such as secretary of education and secretary of state.” (pg 483) Everything that was mentioned above was new in women’s world. On the other hand, in spite of the new achievements in political world, “New Woman” was still expected to keep her household role as a wife and a mother.

2. Why did women active in politics encounter so much difficulty accomplishing their agenda in the 1920s?

The women active in politics encountered so much difficulty accomplishing their agenda because they weren’t fighting for the same issue. Different groups of women were fighting for different issues which weakened their power in accomplishing their agenda. “Once the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified, the lines that divided women – class, race, age, ideology – became more significant,” (483). Another reason for women’s so much difficulty in accomplishing their agenda in the 1920s is because the women’s groups and organizations were acting mostly independently and weren’t associating with Republican nor Democratic Party in order to get support from them. The last reason of their difficulties is because not all the women were politically active. There were some classes of women that were not involved in social reform and that made it more difficult for the active women to fight for all women’s rights.

3. How does the image on page 499 represent some of the experiences of women during the Great Depression?

The image on page 499 represents the women’s sufferings during the Great Depression. The woman in the image has a great sadness in her eyes. Seems like she is emotionally exhausted and at the same time concerned about her children. Just by looking at the picture and seeing her two children surrounding her and the little baby in her arms, I realize that these children needed their mom’s support to survive. She is a mom of three children who struggles to feed and take care of her children in such great economical difficulties. This image is a great example that represents the lives and the difficulties of many women during the Great Depression.

4. To what extent did World War II challenge gender stereotypes for women? To what extent did it reinforce them?

The World War II challenged and reinforced gender stereotypes for women. The World War II allowed women to join the military just like men did. Women for the first time got involved in the war. This was a way for women to act independently and to join the military. They also got the opportunity to have different kinds of jobs. Some women started working as mechanics, welders, pilots, and other similar “men kinds” of jobs. Also, women in the nursing field that were always seen as just nurses, were finally commissioned as doctors by the military in World War II.