Feminism in the Early 1900's
Women's Suffrage and the 19th AmendmentFeminism in the early 1900s, the first wave, stretched from the beginning of the 20th century to the 50s. During this time the pivotal milestone of gaining suffrage came about and the idea of the feminist movement continued throughout the century. Due to current events in the United States during this time - the Great Depression, World War II and other events - the progressive actions of the feminist movement stayed relatively the same, with the few exceptions that occurred.
For instance, the long struggle to fight for more liberation began with the reform to gain the right to vote in the late 1800s and continued to the 20th century. Protests, rallies, advocation and all that has been done since the convention in Seneca Falls led to the milestone of the 19th amendment. The fight to gain the right to vote gained recognition by the June of 1919 where Congress passed the 19th amendment, and ratified it on August 18 1920. This was the most pivotal progressive action that provided women the opportunity to not only think of the possibilities of new reforms to women's rights, but it opened the cultural and social aspects on being a woman and having more less constricting liberation. |
The Jazz Age |
Flappers, Jazz Musicians and the Movement's Connection to the MusicWith this recent change in women's liberation, the changing attitude of women can be shown through the raise of flappers during this age until the Great Depression came. Women activists were not as focused on political change, but mostly social civil rights changes. The flappers represented this new thinking of feminism – by their fashion, by the music, and by the way they approached dating and careers.
Furthermore in the 1920s, the songs during this decade embodies the general perception of women’s thoughts, hopes, and desires during the era after women gained the right to vote. Jazz music and careers in the Jazz industry provided opportunities for the women of this time to express themselves in a way never possible before. In this way, music was able to inspire those in the feminist movement to represent themselves in this musical field, as well as, promote and spread the concept of feminism to others in providing further support to the cause. Thus, the feminist movement, a social movement, is not a movement without representing the affected people who want to provide political and/or social changes to their common cause/goal. The people who want change then can represent themselves or promote their cause by using music as a tool to vocalize their sentiments. In the early 1900s and to this current day, music has this connection to the fight for women's rights. |
Featured Artist:
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Bessie Smith is considered one of the classic blues greatest singer of her time. She like any other African American woman or white woman, wanted to have control in her life and financial independence after the recent milestone of women's suffrage. Although women gained this right, there was still gender inequality apparent and especially the inequality between white and black women.
Having a singing career in the jazz industry provided some ground for an equal standing. Singing the blues in a public space to helped Smith voice her wants and her thoughts. Thus, the songs she sings speak of her experiences, and have a theme of bluntly stating her wants to being economically independent, free in her sexual desires and freedom to do the things outside the norm – thoughts similar and relatable to the women of this time. (Learn more about Smith's Legacy) |
Song of Significance
"Sam Jones Blues"
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The lines mentioned below from the song “Sam Jones Blues” are an example to this testament that women of the time connected to the hopes and desires like these.
Though I ain’t rich, I know my stitch I earned my strutting shoes. Say, hand me the key that unlocks my front door Because that bell don’t read “Sam Jones” no more. You ain’t talking to Mrs. Jones, You’re speaking to Miss Wilson now. This song is important to the women’s movement because it shows the change many women wanted in their lives. They were able start to have this change because of crucial moment of gaining the right to vote, and was a step closer to gaining all the other rights and equality they wanted in the future in the 60s to 90s. |
Other Songs of the Early 1900s
"Cell Bound Blues" by Ma RaineyI walked in my room the other night.
My man walked in and began to fight. I took my gun in my right hand. ‘Hold him folks, I don’t wanna kill my man.’ When I did that he hit my ‘cross my head. First shot I fired my man fell dead Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, famously known as the Mother of the Blue sings songs like this which illustrate a theme of women empowerment, free thinking, and free will. Although the story featured in this song may have seemed radical during the 1920s, songs like these were popular. This is one way music was inspired to represent these feminist thoughts of the current idea of the cause during this time. |
"You Let Me Down" By Billie HolidayYou told me that I was like an angel.
Told me I was fit to wear a crown. So that you could get a thrill. You put me on a pedestal And then you let me down, let me down. Although lyrically it does not sound similar to the ideas to the feminist movement it, the song is in fact about the systemic oppression in racism and sexism. By addressing these topics, Billie Holiday was able to voice her sentiments on the current changes that should be made. This is one way the feminist movement, and a supporter of the cause, could voice the cause of feminism throughout the rest of the United States. |
“It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” by Kitty WellsIt’s a shame that all the blame is on us women.
It’s not true that only you men feel the same. This song highlights a man's role in a women's life. It represents the current sentiment of how women felt by the mistreatment of men they associated themselves with. In this way, this song represents one social problem the feminist movement wanted to address. |