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| Women's History Month |
Throughout the history of the World, women have overcome many obstacles to make important
contributions to society. Women faced discrimination in many areas, such as education, careers,
legal rights and voting rights, and in many parts of the world today still do.
Education
During colonial times, girls and boys were educated differently. Girls went to "dame" schools where
they were taught how to read and write. The "master" schools -- similar to today's high schools --
were for boys. Girls could attend the master schools, generally during the summer when boys worked
and only if space was available. Or they were simply educated at home.
In the 1800s, opportunities for women in education began to improve. High schools and colleges
for girls were established in the United States. Some colleges and universities that accepted only
young men began to accept young women. In 1833, Oberlin College became the first higher
education institution for young women and men. At the beginning of the 20th century, more than
one third of all college students were women.
Women and the Law
In early America, women had few legal rights. Married women could not own property or make
contracts on their own. In Africa women are still prejudiced and in only recent years, as recent as
the 1990's, could women purchase and own moveable or immoveable property without the
authority and sanction of their husbands. This applied even to banking accounts.
During the 1800s in the United States, many states began to pass laws that gave women more
control over their lives. Laws were passed that allowed women to own property, make contracts and
have control of any money they earned. Other laws helped women who had been mistreated and
abandoned by their husbands and women who became widows when their husbands died. South
Africa and Africa in general is centuries behind in assisting women who are left destitute by their
former spouses or partners, and who have the responsibility of raising children and maintaining a
home - if they have one. There is little in the way of social security for women in Southern Africa,
and of course the law in South Africa is "only as good as the lawyer you can afford". Women have
little or no backup, financially or otherwise and often find themselves in extremely difficult
situations, with having to pay for extremely expensive (and dangerous) public education, basic
services that rank amongst the most expensive in the world and inflation at a record high every
month.
Women and the World of Work
During the colonial period, a few women had careers in fields associated with men, such as
medicine,law, and ministry. Many women who earned wages worked in jobs they could do at home,
such as run a boarding house or work as a seamstress.
As industry rose in the 1800s, women began to work outside of the home in factory jobs. Most worked
for long hours with little pay in poor working conditions. In some families, children also worked in
factories. With such high unemployment throughout the world today many women, although
qualified or experienced, are unable to obtain employment.
During the 19th century, women began to gain acceptance in certain professional careers,
especially teaching and writing. Women faced discrimination in many other professions, such as
medicine. Women were not accepted into medical universities attended by men. In the early
1800s, nearly all hospital nurses were men.
By the beginning of the 20th century, some conditions for women in work showed signs of
improvements. The United States government passed laws that improved working conditions for
women who worked in factories. More women entered the field of medicine as top medical schools
began to accept women.
Increasing numbers of women entered the work force, mainly in clerical jobs, factories, service and
sale positions. During World War II, thousands of women joined the military as nurses and office
workers. Many women also worked in factories, building materials needed for the war effort.
Even though many women worked in the same jobs as men, women earned less money than their
male coworkers. In 1963, Congress passed the Equal Pay Act, a law requiring companies to pay
women the same wages as men for the same work. However, by 1970, women still earned only
about 55 percent of what men earned.
Women's Suffrage
During the 1800s, women began to speak up and organise to gain women's rights. In 1848, the first
women's rights meeting was held in New York. One important issue from that meeting was women's
suffrage -- the right to vote.
Leaders in the women's suffrage movement included Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton
and Lucy Stone. For many years, these women and thousands of others across America worked to
get the vote for women. In 1919, Congress passed the 19th Amendment that granted women the
right to vote. The bill became law in 1920.
Women slowly began to gain leadership roles in government. Today, women hold many different
political offices, from local governments to advisors in the cabinets of various governments.
contributions to society. Women faced discrimination in many areas, such as education, careers,
legal rights and voting rights, and in many parts of the world today still do.
Education
During colonial times, girls and boys were educated differently. Girls went to "dame" schools where
they were taught how to read and write. The "master" schools -- similar to today's high schools --
were for boys. Girls could attend the master schools, generally during the summer when boys worked
and only if space was available. Or they were simply educated at home.
In the 1800s, opportunities for women in education began to improve. High schools and colleges
for girls were established in the United States. Some colleges and universities that accepted only
young men began to accept young women. In 1833, Oberlin College became the first higher
education institution for young women and men. At the beginning of the 20th century, more than
one third of all college students were women.
Women and the Law
In early America, women had few legal rights. Married women could not own property or make
contracts on their own. In Africa women are still prejudiced and in only recent years, as recent as
the 1990's, could women purchase and own moveable or immoveable property without the
authority and sanction of their husbands. This applied even to banking accounts.
During the 1800s in the United States, many states began to pass laws that gave women more
control over their lives. Laws were passed that allowed women to own property, make contracts and
have control of any money they earned. Other laws helped women who had been mistreated and
abandoned by their husbands and women who became widows when their husbands died. South
Africa and Africa in general is centuries behind in assisting women who are left destitute by their
former spouses or partners, and who have the responsibility of raising children and maintaining a
home - if they have one. There is little in the way of social security for women in Southern Africa,
and of course the law in South Africa is "only as good as the lawyer you can afford". Women have
little or no backup, financially or otherwise and often find themselves in extremely difficult
situations, with having to pay for extremely expensive (and dangerous) public education, basic
services that rank amongst the most expensive in the world and inflation at a record high every
month.
Women and the World of Work
During the colonial period, a few women had careers in fields associated with men, such as
medicine,law, and ministry. Many women who earned wages worked in jobs they could do at home,
such as run a boarding house or work as a seamstress.
As industry rose in the 1800s, women began to work outside of the home in factory jobs. Most worked
for long hours with little pay in poor working conditions. In some families, children also worked in
factories. With such high unemployment throughout the world today many women, although
qualified or experienced, are unable to obtain employment.
During the 19th century, women began to gain acceptance in certain professional careers,
especially teaching and writing. Women faced discrimination in many other professions, such as
medicine. Women were not accepted into medical universities attended by men. In the early
1800s, nearly all hospital nurses were men.
By the beginning of the 20th century, some conditions for women in work showed signs of
improvements. The United States government passed laws that improved working conditions for
women who worked in factories. More women entered the field of medicine as top medical schools
began to accept women.
Increasing numbers of women entered the work force, mainly in clerical jobs, factories, service and
sale positions. During World War II, thousands of women joined the military as nurses and office
workers. Many women also worked in factories, building materials needed for the war effort.
Even though many women worked in the same jobs as men, women earned less money than their
male coworkers. In 1963, Congress passed the Equal Pay Act, a law requiring companies to pay
women the same wages as men for the same work. However, by 1970, women still earned only
about 55 percent of what men earned.
Women's Suffrage
During the 1800s, women began to speak up and organise to gain women's rights. In 1848, the first
women's rights meeting was held in New York. One important issue from that meeting was women's
suffrage -- the right to vote.
Leaders in the women's suffrage movement included Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton
and Lucy Stone. For many years, these women and thousands of others across America worked to
get the vote for women. In 1919, Congress passed the 19th Amendment that granted women the
right to vote. The bill became law in 1920.
Women slowly began to gain leadership roles in government. Today, women hold many different
political offices, from local governments to advisors in the cabinets of various governments.
March is the annual celebration of International Women's History Month, a
time to honour and acknowledge the achievements and contributions of
women throughout the world, and throughout history
Join us as we explore some of the many accomplishments of women in
history. Here you will find printables, lesson plans, complete eBooks and
biographies of some of the most famous and also lesser-known women from
around the globe (past and present) who deserve acknowledgement.
time to honour and acknowledge the achievements and contributions of
women throughout the world, and throughout history
Join us as we explore some of the many accomplishments of women in
history. Here you will find printables, lesson plans, complete eBooks and
biographies of some of the most famous and also lesser-known women from
around the globe (past and present) who deserve acknowledgement.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2009 Educator's Calendar
2008 Educator's Calendar
2007 Educator's Calendar
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
2009 Educator's Calendar
2008 Educator's Calendar
2007 Educator's Calendar
Below are studies and educational downloads on some amazing women in history (in
alphabetical order) Please be sure to bookmark this page as we continue to add unit studies,
pages and information on these and even more amazing Women of the World.
Amelia Earhart
Betsy Ross
Daisy Bates
Dianne Fossey
Florence Nightingale
Harriet Tubman
Helen Keller
Jane Francesca Agnes, Lady Wilde
Jane Goodall
Minnijean Brown Trickey
Pocahontas
Rosa Parks
alphabetical order) Please be sure to bookmark this page as we continue to add unit studies,
pages and information on these and even more amazing Women of the World.
Amelia Earhart
Betsy Ross
Daisy Bates
Dianne Fossey
Florence Nightingale
Harriet Tubman
Helen Keller
Jane Francesca Agnes, Lady Wilde
Jane Goodall
Minnijean Brown Trickey
Pocahontas
Rosa Parks
Further reading and reference:
http://www.nwhp.org/
http://www.nwhp.org/