Women's Roles and Education in the 19th Century

The video explores the transformative period at the end of the 19th century when women began to access higher education through institutions like Mount Holyoke and Smith College. This education enabled women to enter professions such as nursing, teaching, and social work, gaining financial independence. Educated women also engaged in social reform and political activities, contributing to societal changes. The 'new woman' of the progressive era was depicted as confident and independent, challenging traditional roles. These shifts led to changes in marriage patterns and culminated in the women's rights movement of the 1960s.

What was a significant change for women in the late 19th century?

• Mandatory military service

• Increased access to higher education

• Equal pay for equal work

• Universal suffrage

Which colleges were mentioned as providing new opportunities for women?

• Harvard and Yale

• Oxford and Cambridge

• Mount Holyoke and Radcliffe

• Stanford and MIT

Which professions did women start entering in the late 19th century?

• Construction and mining

• Social services and medicine

• Military and law enforcement

• Engineering and architecture

What was a result of women gaining financial independence?

• Entry into traditionally female occupations

• A decline in educational pursuits

• A decrease in social activism

• Increased dependency on family

What new career paths emerged for women during this era?

• Software development and IT

• Professional nursing and social work

• Automobile manufacturing

• Astronomy and physics

How did educated women contribute to society beyond their professions?

• Through volunteerism and philanthropy

• By starting their own businesses

• By joining the military

• Through agricultural development

What did women do when they faced barriers in volunteerism?

• They turned to political work

• They focused on family life

• They gave up on social change

• They moved to rural areas

What characterized the 'New Woman' of the progressive era?

• Avoidance of political engagement

• Traditional domestic roles

• A focus on fashion and beauty

• Confidence and pursuit of education

What societal change was associated with the 'New Woman'?

• Fewer marriages and later marriages

• A shift towards traditional roles

• A decline in women's education

• An increase in birth rates

What movement did women's strides in education and the workplace culminate in?

• The Environmental Movement

• The Civil Rights Movement

• The Women's Rights Movement

• The Industrial Revolution