The purpose of this blog is to spotlight the evolution of American women in various fields of work throughout history, as well as some of the great women who are responsible for the rights of women and evolution of their place in the workforce.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Women of Industry



The Industrial Revolution saw an influx in the textile industry, and consequently a rising of the prevalence of women in industrial work. They worked in mills, operating machinery that was even difficult for males to operate. Textile mills were a major employer of women during this time, even though their wages were significantly lower than their male counterparts. Also during this time, women began to develop new inventions. Many of these inventions were centered around making the domestic world easier for women.
Present Day:
Hear from Lorraine Lockhart, President of RGD Consulting in Cleveland, Ohio.

Bibliography:
All historical information utilized from "A History of Women in America" by Janet L. Coryell and Nora Faires, Chapters 1-10.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Women in the Home


The "typical" woman portrayed throughout history is the domestic housewife; one that which cleans the house while her husband is at work, prepares meals, and makes sure the children are cared for. This idea is carried throughout most of history to today.

The 17th century woman had a hefty task of keeping the house clean. The colonial era proved to be a very difficult time in keeping houses clean, as there was no running water and the houses were primarily of dirt and timbers. Even so, women were still focused on keeping the beds, walls, and glass of the windows clean. Though they were responsible for keeping the home as clean as possible, colonial housewives also tended to the garden for dinners as well as preparation and preservation of food for the winter.

During the 18th century, a woman's domestic work surrounded mainting the home while their husbands were away at war. They also spun yarn and bought war bonds in order to support the troops.

The Civil War saw even more women being left at home to tend for the house and the farm. In addition to the normal domestic duties, these women were also responsible for keeping watch over farm hands and slaves.

As the years progressed, many women chose to leave the home and obtain professional degrees; now, it was far easier for women to remain single and advance in their careers, as opposed to getting married and working in the home. While some women choose to be "stay at home" moms, many are in the workforce and have left behind the idea that the role of women's work is to only maintain the household.


Bibliography:
All historical information utilized from "A History of Women in America" by Janet L. Coryell and Nora Faires, Chapters 1-10.

Women in the Medical Field


For as long as history dictates, women have always had the role of "caregiver." Even dating back to colonists in the 17th century, women acted as midwives and women 'healers." As diseases such as syphillis, tuberculosis, and scarlet fevers ran rampant through the colonies, a few women acted as physicians, though little training was given for the position. Herbal medicines as well as cleaning out systems of the body by purging or lancing were the standard practice of the time. Even so, most women provided medical care to their individual families.

As the 18th century rolled around, the War for Independence between America and England was in full swing.  Women played an integral part in war-time preparations, both in running the household while their husbands were away as well as preparing bandages and herbal remedies for the wounded.

The 19th century saw the beginning of the Women's Rights Movement, which fought for a woman's right to be recognized as independent from the men. White, single women cared for the sick kin of their family. As the Civil War came into view, many women were attracted to working as aid to soldiers. As mentioned before, nursing was an integral part of care in the home, but an actual nursing profession was not seen in the 1800s up until the Civil War. Many of these women worked in harm's way on the battle field, and some simply volunteered and received no salary for their work.

The Reconstruction era meant new job opportunites for women. In the past, women in the medical field were not respected. Now, practicing medicine became a much more honorable position for women, due to the sacrifice that so many women had made while on the battlefield. By this time, there were over 2,000 women practicing medicine, and a few even became surgeons. Though women were still not respected enough to practice privately, many worked in in hospitals and clinics. Also at this time, nursing schools to train women professionally had begun to surface.

The number of women obtaining college degrees in the 1900s grew substantially. Nearly 9,000 women were now in practice within hospitals, a field up until this time was male dominated. World War I paved the way for Army and Navy nurses, and physical and occupational therapists worked with the soldiers that had suffered injury during battle. World War II saw even more professional possessions becoming available to women. At this time, few clinics for African American nurses and physicians also became existant, though very seldom.

As the years of the Cold War progressed into now current, women continuted to experience  more and more openings in the professional world. Today, women are offered a wide range of healthcare careers, all of which are formed on the basis of "caregiver."




Present-day caregivers: Hear from Dr. Cheryl Riegger-Krugh, Clinical Professor of Physical Therapy at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio and Patty Flanagan, Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio about their experiences and training in the medical field.


Bibliography:
All historical information utilized from "A History of Women in America" by Janet L. Coryell and Nora Faires, Chapters 1-10.

Women in Education


The History of Women in Education


Present Day: Hear from Marnisha Brown, Assistant Principal at Timken High School in Canton, Ohio, Dr. Mary Ann Heiss, Associate Professor of History at Kent State University in Ohio, and Peggy Smith, 1st and 2nd grade reading teacher at Warren City Schools in Warren, Ohio.

Women of War


The 17th century woman wrote letters, spoke out against certain political figures, and attended meetings. Records of women soldiers in the 18th century are very seldom. Historians believe that women during this time period desired to go to war for reasons the same as men; fighting for their country. Women also went to war due to the fact that their husbands or relatives were there. These women dresed as men, so that they were able to serve as soldiers where typically women were not allowed to be working. Women were also active in the war as writers, spies, and fighters. Women during this time period also were taking over for their wounded husbamds in the war. Even so, a woman's role as a soldier during this time was still not seen as feminine behavior.

In the Civil War, women worked in many different areas as well; service to the military, nursing, "sanitary work," and maintaining the home while their husbands were away. "Sanitary" work meant collecting items that soldienrs needed, and holding auctions, sales, or raffles in order to raise money or goods to send off to the troops. Women also rolled bandagers and prepared other medical needs. Also during this time, women also began obtaining government jobs, printing, working in government offices, or keeping records. Much like the 18th century, women disguised themselves as men in order to provide physical military service. A few even fought in battles. The role of a spy was also common work, as it was discovered women were far easier to obtain valuable information than male soldiers.

Again in World War I, women took on many tasks, though few are recognized for their services. They worked as Army and Navy nurses, ran switchboards which required knowledge of other languages, and replaced males in the workplace that were no longer able to complete their duties.

World War II saw the "Rosie the Riveter" persona emerge; women who produced bullets, guns, artillery, uniforms, bandages, and any other supplies needed by troops. They also created posters, magazines, and movies educating people on war. Though women were required to take on back breaking work in factories and as electricians and welders, they still maintained a feminine persona. For the first time, women also filled military ranks in the armed services that were not the roles of nurses. They worked as mechanics, parachute triggers, and even as pilots or members of the coast guard. Though these women were finally obtaining the same sorts of jobs as males, they were still not awarded with military benefits.

Present Day:
Hear from Maria Sotebeer, soldier and combat medic of the United States Army.

Bibliography:
All historical information utilized from "A History of Women in America" by Janet L. Coryell and Nora Faires, Chapters 1-10.