Running Head: Women Rights 1

Name of the student

Kayla Conklin

Topic name
Date

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Running Head: Women Rights 2

Introduction
In the start of 19th century American women saw the era of separate zones for male and

females. Before that, women everywhere in the world suffered a lot and did not have any

basic rights. From the early Greek and Roman times, women did not have any rights

especially the right to vote. In the two-part series by Ken Burn, the author showed the

suffering of women. The first part depicts the women suffering movement and how women

suffer all throughout their years. It talks about the two ladies Susan and Elizbeth. They share

their hard work and sufferings from their experiences. Most of the women also are neglected

because of their dark skin.

Discussion

Americans did not consider them as human beings. Susan Anthony raises her voices for the

rights of woman and she became the president of the National American Suffrage

Association. This association works hard in granting the rights for women. The Seneca falls

declaration promoted a narrow vision of gender equality in most of the areas. After 1919,

America saw a dramatic change in most spheres of lives especially the vision about gender

and sex had started to change. The struggle of women suffrage association leads to a great

change in the mind set of people. Susan also joined the abolitionist movement to raise the

voice for blacks and to end their slavery.

The supremacy complex has been persistent in the several portions of the history of white

men in particular. The belief is held by a majority that white race is superior and the people

from the black race lack civility and able manners, this movement opened the path for black

women and for their rights. The role of woman began to change in the society and more

opportunities were giving to ladies. The stereotypical attitude also witnessed a change and
Running Head: Women Rights 3

teachers delivered the lectures on gender studies, role of woman in the society and the role of

women in developing a progressive society[ CITATION Jam10 \l 1033 ].

The civil war became the main cause as many men were on the boarder and women were

taking care of their houses and farms. Due to this war many men were killed and women had

to take care of multiple things. Woman have to run the house or take up other jobs as well in

order to run the house. All these things were done by women which were previously done by

men. This war had replaced the status of women and had given them a special position in the

job sector. As many women came out from their homes in order to earn and feed their

children.

After the war, most of the scenario had changed, Susan and Anthony thought that now

women would get the right to vote but many men disagreed on this statement. They did not

want the women to have the right to vote or to have the same equal rights. As women

contributed a lot in the war economy and played a big role in feeding the children and old

parents. Several well-made documentaries on the suffrage of women and their hardships were

portrayed in a detailed manner. This is an autobiographical documentary. In the documentary

the primary character Well who was a journalist she shares her experiences. She was a black

woman and she suffered a lot in getting the basic rights. As male dominated and they did not

consider the woman as human beings. They treated black women as a non-human

being[CITATION Placeholder2 \l 1033 ].

After all the struggle they presented the three bills in congress out of which two was

approved and one was rejected. The congress rejects the bill of right to vote for women. They

said that it is not important for women to take part in the affairs of state. Elizbeth while

sharing her struggling story, narrates that many occasions came where she felt discouraged

and weak. The males dominated the society overall and were only considered as the supreme
Running Head: Women Rights 4

being on this earth. But she managed herself and did not lose hope and continued her struggle

which finally had borne a fruitful result.

Role of Women Continued to Change

In 1869, the male legislative body passed the bill in which they gave every adult woman the

right to cast their vote. This was the remarkable success for every female especially for the

blacks who were not treated well and good as compared to the white ladies. This was the

initial stage of success for women. Feminism movements were reflected in many genres of

art especially in literature. Many female novelists wrote over such issues and stared to spread

awareness. Following these years many movements were started in favor of women’s rights

and it reflected through movies, documentaries, paintings and literature.

They highlighted the woman suffrage and struggle as a basic element which conveys a

positive element in the society. Many male members of society had changed their perception

about woman and admired their hard work and struggle especially during the season of war.

‘Iron Jawed Angel’ a movie tells the story of Alice and Paul who took stand against the 19th

amendment. Through this movie they share a strong message which creates an active wing

for women and many males also came out to in favor of woman suffrage[ CITATION Luc20 \l

1033 ].

The woman was only treated merely as sexual toy or for performing domestic household

chores. But after getting the right to vote, many things had started to change and woman were

in limelight most of the time.

In the 20th century, women’s Christian temperance union was formed which revolutionized

the era and females were given high priority and respect in all over the domains. They started

to replace the men in many sectors and started many campaigns in favor of their rights.
Running Head: Women Rights 5

By doing all this, once again black people were going behind the veil and white ladies took

the supremacy. During the struggling period, blacks were the ones who suffered a lot and

face several hardships and painful experiences.

Toward the mid 2oth century, women established their roles firmly and most of the white

ladies had taken the supremacy. All this led to the black people and their rights in the society.

This resulted in the racialism attitude towards the black and they started their separate

campaign in which they were against white skin. They demanded their basic rights like the

way white skinned people had[ CITATION Elz11 \l 1033 ].

Conclusion

After going through all the hardships and crossing the obstacles with the unity of women they

gained success. Women stood together for their rights regardless of the fact that they were

black or white. All females need the right to vote. Their long struggle bore fruits and they

saw great achievement in their lives. The 20th century, witnessed of many great changes and

progression in the role of women. The society rapidly changed with the idea of modernism

and post-modernism which gave the liberty and freedom to women in choice of everything.

They neglected the black skinned people and many had shown racial discrimination attitude

towards them. They did not consider them equal the way white people were considered. This

struggle proved to be a milestone for the women and opened many opportunities for them.

They not only succeeded the men in single area but with the passage of time, they came up

with new and unique ideas which give them higher places in the society.
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References

.Well, I. B. (Director). (1931). A Passion For Justice [Motion Picture].

Anthony, E. (2011). The Women Suffrage Movement. ResearchGate.

Burn, L. (Director). (1920). Iron Jawed Angel [Motion Picture].

Rock, J. (2010). How Women Won The Right To Vote. Constitutional Rights Of Women.
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