White, Middle-Class American Women

209 Words1 Pages
The years beginning just after the Civil War and continuing through the first decade of the twentieth century witnessed a marked change in the social role of white, middle- class American women. This change was characterized by a movement away from a relatively restricted and clearly defined role, toward a much more ambiguous role associated with an expanded sphere of activity. A review of the relevant literature, including both primary and secondary sources, indicates that evidence of women's role change over this period may be grouped into the following general categories: higher education for women; organizational activities of women, including women's clubs, settlement work, and the suffrage movement; women's advancement in the professions;