His 204 Final

Running Head: WOMEN'S OPTIONS

Historical Development's paving the Way for Women's Options

Kelly Wolff

American History Since 1865

Jason Weinerman

August 13, 2012

Even though some do not believe that women deserve the same pay as a man for the same job, and that arguement is likely to continue to last through the ages many great strides have been gained in the area of womens options. Since 1965, women obtained personal and public independance, the right to vote as well as the ability to serve in certain capacities in the military during WWII. Women have been advancing in their rights and recognition since the beginning, but it is likely that no matter how far the advancements take society in regards to how women's abilities and options are viewed, that this will be an erternal obstical.

In the 1800's women worked not only in the home cooking, cleaning and raising children, but along side their husbands out in the fields as well. Women had to know how to drive a wagon, and operate farm technology in case of an emergency. However, working along side of men was not the only thing women were able to do.

Some did it all on their own as in many cases, women became homesteaders on their own,

without men. Some were widows, some were simply single women choosing to provide for

themselves. It was said in a book written by Elinore Stewart; “Any woman who can stand her

own company, can see the beauty of the sunset, loves growing things, and is willing to put in as

much time at careful labor as she does over the washtub, will certainly succeed; will have

independence, plenty to eat all the time, and a home of her own in the end"

(Stewart and Wyeth, 1914). Looking back, this probably was one of the first ways women began

paving the way for themselves without realizing it.

Women were always thought of as mothers, wives and homemakers first, never really getting

credit for all of the other things they...