Discrimination of Women in the Workforce

Courtenay Bromfield Pr. Bethany

Research Paper 4/22/10

The Evolution of Discrimination of Women in the Workplace from the 1900’s to Present Day in the United States

Generations and generations of women in the United States have struggled to own their rightful place in society. Women worked hard to get what they deserved whether it was fighting for their right to vote, increasing educational opportunities, or just simply gaining the right to speak their mind. Women throughout history had many obstacles to overcome to get their voices heard, especially earning their right to work and be equally well paid as men. Women have been told that being in the workplace was not their place. Men believed that a woman’s place was to be in the kitchen and be a good house wife. Women thought being inferior to men was not the case. They wanted to be more than just a house wife. Women did everything they could to successfully be accepted in the working world. Women have been looked down upon for many reasons over the years and were constantly belittled by men and were made to feel unimportant and weak. Women of past generations have traveled down a long road for women of the present generation to be free and independent. From house wife to a money making woman, women went from having nothing to being successful, having a career, and all the countless dreams they longed for. Women fought back to get the right to work and let it be a part of their normal everyday life.

At that time during the early 1900’s, women were not considered people. They were considered property in the eyes of men. A quote said by Napoleon I he says that, “Nature intended women to be our slaves…What a mad idea to demand equality for women!” In a way women were treated like slaves by men. “Women are to be talked to as below men and above children,” was said by Lord Chesterfield. They were treated with such disgrace; it was as if they were dirt. Around this time, women had just earned...