Critical Thinking 17-2 #5

Women in the Progressive Era faced many difficulties. These included problems with education, housing, food and drug laws, and suffrage. Many women made efforts to improve these things. If I were a woman during this time period, I would use different methods to recruit others who would be willing to support such causes.
Women were not often well educated before the Progressive Era. In the late 1800's, however, new colleges were opened for the purpose of teaching women. To help recruit supporters of this change, I would have women from such colleges spread the news of their education, encouraging other women to follow in their footsteps. Housing was another issue, as houses were often small and unsanitary. In order to improve living conditions, I would remind women of how having sanitary homes would benefit them, because women were often in charge of domestic work then.
Food was also a problem. Many unhealthy things were mixed in with food in factories. Improving these factories would benefit everyone. Drugs and alcohol were also troublesome for women, who may have had to face others under the influences of those substances. Many women would have been much happier and safer without having to face drunken husbands. Finally, women desired the right to vote, which they had been deprived of for so long. Womens' Suffrage groups were formed with the goal of gaining this right. To recruit others for this cause, I would tell them of the possibility of having more freedom in being able to choose our country's leaders. Improvements to any or all of these things would greatly benefit women, and I would make them aware of this.