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The economic prosperity America endured in the 1920’s dramatically affected the lives of women, especially in the workforce and in the expanding middle class. With the advancement of modern technology, home appliances glorified the role of the “house-wife,” automobiles glamorized travel, and women's fashion liberated the female physique, women’s progression toward equality in society covered the spectrum of feminism as it had been defined by historians in modern times.
The new electrical appliances, automobiles, and other technological advances profoundly changed the lives of women in the 1920’s. Advertisers targeted women in new product marketing which brought women into the world outside of the home. Women’s role in the workforce changed as a result as the number of women who worked outside of the home, which rose by two million in the 1920’s. On the contrary, however, most women only worked for a few years until they got married. When women did work outside of the home, they faced discrimination in wages and could usually only find work as clerical assistants, nurses, teachers, librarians, and other “women’s jobs.” The number of women who graduated from high school rose as well from 8 to 12 percent in the 1920’s. Some went onto college to study literature, music, and other artistic areas, however very few actually earn a college degree.
The physique of women also became something that loosened throughout this “roaring” decade. Hemlines raised, waistbands relaxed, and necklines dipped as women became much more liberal with their dress and fashion. The "flapper" is the term used to describe the model of young women who ran rampant socially at speakeasies and night clubs. As women began to take control of their bodies, the awareness and popularity of birth control spread amongst educated young women.
There were also several causes that women fought for in the arena of law and government. The League of Women Voters fought to get the 19th amendment ratified, which was ultimately added to the U.S. Constitution in 1920. Women also were passionate about standardizing minimum wage for women, protective laws for women in the workplace, child labor laws, and improving race relations. The Sheppard-Towner Act was one major success women had in terms of the government providing pre-natal medical care and child care in rural areas of the United States. However, this act was only in effect until 1929.
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