Moving back to the main discussion of women’s rights and roles; the feminist beginnings in the 19^th century really catapulted the entire movement for women. It was the first time that women connected in the movement together, “both European and American women attended the same conferences, corresponded regularly, and read one another’s work” (521). The untiy between women had never been seen before.

Some women who were heavily involved in the movement refused to take their names (much like today) or wore pants under their skirts. There was even a women named Elizabeth Cady Stanton who published a bible for Women, eliminating the parts she found offensive. “By the 1970s, feminist movements in the West were focusing primarily on the issue of suffrage and were gaining a growing constituency. Now many ordinary middle-class housewives and working-class mothers joined their better-educated sisters in the movement.” (521). Times were changing from the 50's and before, where women were expected to stay home with their children and look after their husbands. Women were showing that they were more complex and could take on much more than previously thought or allowed.

“By 1900 , upper- and middle class women had gained entrance to universities, though in small numbers, and women’s literacy rates were growing steadily.” (521). The exercise we did in class really helped put this type of life into perspective for me. As a woman in 2013 I expect an equal opportunity at an education as the males sitting in class with me. Its easy to forget what life would have really been like for the original women who fought so hard to be recognized.  Florence Nightingale, a leader in this period, “professionalized nursing and attracted thousands of women to it, while Jane Adams in the US virtually invented social work, which also became female dominated profession” (521). 

Not surprisingly, feminists received opposition, although I might argue that they still do not receive much respect. “Thus feminists were viewed as selfish, willing to sacrifice the family or even the nation while pursuing their individual goals.” (522). Women are still blamed, although maybe not to this extent, for focusing both on a career and family.