How do women participate in politics during their early years?

The role of women in politics has come a long way since the early 19th century. In the early 1800s, women were not allowed to vote, and few were involved in politics in any significant way. However, over the years, women have fought for and won the right to vote and have made significant progress in breaking down barriers in politics. In this article, we will explore the history of women in politics from the early 1800s to the present day.

The early 1800s

In the early 1800s, women had no political rights. They were not allowed to vote, and few were involved in politics in any significant way. The idea of women participating in politics was considered radical, and many people believed that women's place was in the home, not in public life.

The first significant challenge to this idea came in 1848, with the Seneca Falls Convention in New York. The convention was organized by women's rights activists, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, and called for women's suffrage and other political rights. The convention marked the beginning of the women's suffrage movement in the United States.

Late 1800s to early 1900s

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the women's suffrage movement gained momentum. Women organized rallies, protests, and marches, and many were arrested for their activism. In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, giving women the right to vote.

The suffrage movement also paved the way for women to become more involved in politics. In 1916, Jeannette Rankin became the first woman elected to Congress. Rankin was a Republican from Montana who supported women's suffrage and pacifism. She was the only member of Congress to vote against U.S. entry into World War I.

Despite Rankin's historic election, women remained underrepresented in politics. It was not until the 1960s and 1970s that women began to make significant progress in breaking down barriers in politics.

1960s and 1970s

The 1960s and 1970s were a time of great social change in the United States, and women's rights were a central part of this movement. Women organized protests and demonstrations, demanding equal rights in all areas of life, including politics.

In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed, which prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This law paved the way for greater opportunities for women in politics and other areas of public life.

In 1972, Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which would have added language to the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing equal rights for women. However, the ERA failed to be ratified by enough states and was never added to the Constitution.

Despite this setback, women continued to make progress in politics. In 1978, Shirley Chisholm became the first African American woman to run for president of the United States. Chisholm was a Democratic congresswoman from New York and a staunch advocate for civil rights and women's rights.

1980s and 1990s

In the 1980s and 1990s, women continued to make strides in politics. In 1981, Sandra Day O'Connor became the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. O'Connor was a conservative judge, but her appointment was still seen as a victory for women's rights.

In 1984, Geraldine Ferraro became the first woman to run for vice president on a major party ticket. Ferraro was the Democratic nominee for vice president and ran alongside Walter Mondale.