A brief history of women’s suffrage in America

BY KELLY LY OPINIONS EDITOR

Women’s struggle for voting rights in America dates back to the 1800s.

Repressed in terms of fundamental rights and freedoms, women have fought to be equal within society. Enduring hardships and relentless injustices, their efforts led to the passing of the 19th Amendment on August 18, 1920, guaranteeing women equality and the right to vote within America.

The movement for women’s rights rose in the mid-1800s amidst the outcry against slavery. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was one of the women who joined the antislavery movement in America, determined to establish rights for women and enslaved people. Along with Lucretia Mott, Stanton held the Seneca Falls Convention at Seneca Falls, New York in 1848. This declaration called for women’s suffrage, education, and employment opportunities. Several other conventions followed suit such as the one in Worcester, Massachusetts held by Lucy Stone and another in Syracuse, New York, where Stanton would meet Susan B. Anthony. These women would be known as “suffragettes,” female suffragists under the banner of “Votes for Women.”

Stanton and Anthony formed the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) in 1869. NWSA would eventually merge with the American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA), which aimed to secure women’s suffrage through the inclusion of amendments within state constitutions, to form the National American Woman Suffrage Association in 1890. Congress attempted to amend the U.S. Constitution to include women’s suffrage in 1878 although it failed to pass. Congress attempted to pass another women’s suffrage bill in 1914 but it failed to pass like its predecessor. Shortly after America entered World War I, women’s prominent

Reality of traditional gender roles

ADWIK CHATURVEDI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, PRINT

Gender roles have existed for as long as society has flourished, centering around the masculinity or femininity of an individual. But, were these roles even necessary? Well, from what the modern world has shown, society has been slowly drifting away from such restrictions. Some argue that traditional gender roles create a functional world, one that is made up of characteristics for both men and women, help facilitate healthy relationships, and ultimately lead to elevated moods in the people. However, these roles present harmful effects in our society, especially inequalities between men and women, something that disproportionately affects the latter.

Coined in 1955 by psychologist John Money, the term “gender role” was expressed during the course of his intersex study that observed the way each gender presents their masculine and feminine selves. But, as time evolved, the term has often forced individuals to look, act, and dress a certain way. Men are expected to present their strength, power, and competitiveness, while rarely showing their emotions. On the other hand, women are expected to be nurturing, accommodating, and polite.

While it might have seemed that gender roles were producing a positive effect on our society, they really were not. These conformities affect career choices, mental health, and ultimately create a toxic culture around both genders. Due to discriminatory behavior and a lack of resources, women are not as prevalent in STEM careers than men, and the same applies to men in the care sector. Yet, these are not the only examples. Gender roles also impact young people, contributing to self harm in one in five 14year olds, according to a report by the Commission on Gender Stereotypes in Early Childhood. Along with higher male suicide rates and issues with body image, it is hard to see any beneficial aspect of gender roles. involvement in the war resulted in nationwide commitment to women’s suffrage. Much opposition to the cause had diminished, from both men and women, with both the Democratic and Republican Parties in favor of women’s suffrage. The 19th Amendment was finally ratified on August 18, 1920, allowing women to vote on a federal level in America. Suffragettes incorporated several colors as symbols of their cause, although their most iconic color scheme consisted of purple, white, and gold. Purple represented the loyalty and steadfast nature of women. White expressed the purity of women through their femininity. Gold was a light color, representing life and seen as a torch guiding towards the future. While this color scheme was first used by British suffragettes, it was adapted into American suffragist movements by Stanton’s daughter, Harriet Stanton Blach. Barely a century has passed since the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Women had struggled for universal suffrage amidst rampant sexism, oppression, and lack of basic rights. Through conventions and widespread attention, their efforts led to the eventual ratification of the 19th Amendment. Women have gained the right to vote and equality among men, although they are not truly equal within the shifting qualms of American society.

There are ways to limit, and soon eradicate, gender roles as a whole. By being aware of sexism and advocating for gender equality, it can become easier to find a solution to all the issues that have been created. So, in the end, are gender roles necessary? Well, it seems as though they are simply irrelevant.

Survey: Do you believe that gender roles are necessary for society to function?

46.1% n

53.9%