Ladies of the 1920's were determined to get what they wanted. There countless organizations formed by women around the world including the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). These associations organized protests, riots, held seminars where women would speak out to politicians and to other women. They created a lot of problems for the authorities, but they never once gave up. There was a group of rebels named the Flappers. These women were not what society called a proper woman. They wore dresses that made them look young and boyish, and cut their hair into bobs and later on to even shorter hair cuts. The 1920's are referred to as the Roaring Twenties, mainly because of these women. They were very independent women, and did not do what men told them to. They believed in living life to the full, and partying, dancing, and their scence of fashion were their way of doing so. The Flappers rode bicycles and drove cars, drank in public, smoked cigarettes through long holders, and were sexually liberated. They threw ‘petting parties' which were the equivalent of modern sex parties. This group of independent women started a trend, that even more respectable women followed in following years, but in a less ‘out there' manner. Flappers fashion started a new era for women everywhere.
Politics were something in which only men were able to participate and have a say in what happens. Since women were not persons, they could not vote. The right to vote was one of the main focuses of the Women's Rights Movement. Women around the world wanted political equality between men and women. Women were starting to take up more active roles in the war, and also got jobs in factories to support the war, and believed in equality. There were many reasons for women wanting the right to vote. They believed that obtaining the right to vote would ensure that prohibition laws would be passed. They also wanted a reform of property laws, equal guardianship of children, new divorce laws, improved working conditions, higher wages and access to higher education for women. They also had many arguments to press their case, some stronger than others. Some simply argued on the basis of natural law, stating that everyone is equal. Others said that since women were compelled to pay property taxes, they should not have to pay taxes without representation. Some women also believed that women's concerns should be acknowledged directly through the legislative system. Canadian provinces gave women the right to vote a few at a time. Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta were the first in 1917, followed by Ontario and British Columbia in 1918. Nova Scotia was the next in 1919, and New Brunswick was next in 1922. PEI was one of the last in 1925, but Newfoundland and Quebec were the last to follow in 1940. It took years for women to receive what they wanted, but in the end, it all paid off.
The 1920's proved themselves to be a changing point in women's history. The Women's Rights Movement was the foundation of better a better life and equality for future generations of women around the world. Women have acquired a lot throughout the years, and even though they have received a great prize, there are still, to this day, men and women who believe a woman's place is at home. There are fewer of these people as the years go on who believe women are inferior to men, but the struggle continues as it will for generations to come.
