The Gilded Age was an era of rapid growth and dramatic
change for all Americans, especially for the women in America. In her book America’s Women, Gail Collins paints a vivid picture of the
incredible hardship women have endured and the resulting strength and courage
they demonstrated in their fight for equality.
Post Civil War was a time of industrialization and
urbanization in America. Economic, political and social developments
created opportunities for women in the form of jobs beyond their typical
household and servant responsibilities. With indoor plumbing and other
inventions, household chores became much easier.[1] For the first time women had some free time;
an opportunity to experience social events, network, join clubs, and enjoy
entertainment with or without their families. One of “the single most important
new public amenity for women was the department store.” [2] The department store got women out of the
house! Whether it was to shop, to work,
or socialize with friends, the department store was a form of liberalization
for women. Once they were out of the house,
they realized there was a whole new world for them; a world full of hope!
The Gilded Age was also full of emotional conflict with
opposing sides; with men and women on both sides of this conflict. What was a women’s role? Should it change once she’s married and has
children? Are women “man haters” if they
choose to not get married?[3] Collins description of the Woman’s experience
is like a roller coaster ride with ups and downs, adventure and fear, and happy
endings along with some disastrous crashes. But once the thrill is experienced,
you want to come back for more. Women
had a glimpse of “more” . . . they now had hope for more and wanted more.
I believe that women are the most discriminated group in the World. The discrimination
towards women crosses over race, class, age, and country of
origin. The question of which of these
is more important in a woman’s experience is difficult to answer. If I have to
narrow it down to one group it would be race.
In each race there are different classes, age, and even country of
origin. Today Irish, Italian, German,
etc. are considered white, but back in the Gilded Age they were considered more
like a different race. “Some of the most destitute people in big cities during
the late nineteenth century were Irish women.”[4] These women ended up widowed as a result of their husbands taking on
work that slave owners felt too risky for their slaves.[5]
Women’s social clubs were popping
up everywhere during the Gilded Age.
These clubs gave women a sense of companionship, belonging, self-esteem,
and purpose. It also provided them strength
in numbers and influence. For this
reason there was a “social prejudice against clubbers.” [6] This prejudice was more a fear of
change, but this fear and prejudice was published in newspapers with the
prediction that “homes will be ruined, children neglected,
woman is straying from her sphere.”[7] When women of all groups should have been
gathering for a common cause, there was a prejudice amongst their own group
that separated the spheres of influence and activity amongst women. This prejudice was by race. Black women were experiencing the same
hardships, probably worse. Yet “the
General Federation of Women’s Clubs declined to accept black women’s groups as
members.” [8] When more and more young white women were
opting out of marriage, the great concern of the white middle class was that
the white reproduction rate was less than the immigration reproduction
rate. They were worried about a “race
suicide.”[9]
The race issue carried on into World War I when women were
volunteering and participating in the war efforts in many different capacities.
Yet black women volunteers were being turned down and being deprived opportunities
available to their white counterparts.
And finally in women’s efforts to gain the right to vote,
race once again separated the common cause.
In 1913, the activist Alice Paul organized a parade for women’s rights
at Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration.[10] A group of African American female activists
wanted to join the parade and were met with resistance. They ended up joining the group, but
segregated to the back of the parade.[11]
Women’s struggle for freedom emerged during the Gilded Age as
a result of industrialization and innovation.
There were many new opportunities available to them and their new-found
independence gave them hope. But they also struggled with mixed emotions as to their
role in society. Race, class, age, and
country of origin were all contributing factors in women’s experiences with
racial discrimination creating the biggest barrier to the common cause and clouding
efforts towards equality. That said, the
women activists mentioned in Collins’ book are true pioneers that helped shape history
for American women from the 1880s to 1920s and beyond.
[1] Gail Collins, America’s Women: 400 Years of Dolls, Drudges,
Helpmates, and Heroines (New York: HarperCollins, 2003), 250 -251.
[2] Collins, America’s Women, 241.
[4] Collins, America’s Women, 269.
[5] Collins, America’s Women, 269.
[6] Collins, America’s Women, 248.
[7] Collins, America’s Women, 248.
[8] Collins, America’s Women, 248.
[9] Collins, America’s Women, 295.
[10] Collins, America’s Women, 314.
[11] Collins, America’s Women,315.
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