During the feminist movement, there were a few major concerns for women. The concerns were centered around gender issues, women’s sexual liberation, reproductive rights, job opportunities and safety for women, violence against women, and changes in custody and divorce laws. While through our in-class lessons we learned a magnitude of information concerning this monumental movement, the articles 100 years towards suffrage: an overview and the video untold stories of black women in the suffrage movement provide new perspectives concerning the fight for women’s rights and finding their voice is society after so many years of silence.

One can begin by looking at the article, 100 years of suffrage which provides the long timeline of the journey towards women’s voting rights. The movement dates as far back as 1776 with Abigail Adams who insisted her husband and the men writing the declaration of independence include women however women are deliberately excluded in the wording of all men are created equal. One is able to see the progress, as well as setbacks women in America faced as they fought for their voices By 1878 women’s suffrage amendment, is introduced to Congress but it wasn’t until 1919 when the 19th amendment was officially signed into law Although women were granted the right to vote, they still did not have equal rights as men, which led to the equal rights amendment being proposed which prohibits discrimination based on gender. This amendment was never added to the constitution and today is only written legislation in 38 states.

As we think about the struggles of women over time it’s vital to also acknowledge the struggles of minority women, who had to live in America as double minorities. While white women advocated for rights alongside these women, they in no way considered African American women as part of the movement and could care less if black women had the same rights. The untold stories of black women provide a look into the women’s suffrage movement through the eyes of an African American woman. Despite the hardships women of color faced during this movement, there were many great women that arose as a result of this movement. These women include Ida B Wells who sought to combat prejudice and fight for equality and spoke on behalf of African Americans, especially the women who didn’t have a direct place in the conversation of women’s suffrage. However, the rise of black women didn’t stop with Ida B Wells, black women everywhere began to organize their own groups such as the national association of colored women, which focused on the advancement of African American women. The rise of Black Sororities also played a large role in making changes for women of color. This is just scratching the surface of the powerful women who stepped out to make a change in their communities

In conclusion, society has made a great amount of progress especially in the community of African American women. Although we continue to fight for other liberties and against systemic oppression women especially black women have made their place in society and will continue to do so for years to come.