In reading the timeline “One Hundred Years toward Suffrage: An Overview” it was very inspiring to me because it consisted of a series of events that made up many years of different women in history who advocated and strived for women’s rights, freedoms and equality. The fact that these women, especially black women would be denied and rejected by the public from voting, owning land, getting a higher education and other opportunities that were mainly available and open to white men because of the inequality between the two sexes. Women eventually were able to make their mark during the nineteenth century. It is important to understand that the way women fought to get their voices heard and stand up for the female community as a whole was done by forming speeches and campaigns, creating reform movements and marches and even signing petitions which has made an strong impact on the lives of the future generation of women in reaching their goals. 

One of the events on the timeline that caught my attention the most was in 1859 “The successful vulcanization of rubber provides women with reliable condoms for the first time. The birth rate in the United States continues its downward, century-long spiral. By the late 1900s, women will raise an average of only two to three children, in contrast to the five or six children they raised at the beginning of the century” (Prints and Photographs Reading Room, Library of Congress). I feel like this is a good contraceptive alternative during this time to prove to society and political views that this helps women have better control over their own health and body for birth control and protection from sexually transmitted diseases. At some point the US Congress prohibited the sale and use of birth control however, two female activists Katherine McCormick and Margaret Sanger contributed to advocate for improving women’s lives to have control of their own bodies that gave rise to women reproductive rights in contrast to that of voting rights. 

In the video Untold Stories of Black Women in the Suffrage Movement it portrayed empowering and influential female figures who became strong leaders, activists and suffragists during the women’s suffrage and the civil rights era. One of these females was a white woman named Susan B. Anthony who fought to abolish slavery and to obtain property ownership of women. Another female was a black woman named Ida B Wells, who was born into slavery but freed by the emancipation proclamation. Ida fought for equality and rights for African Americans especially women. Anna Julia Cooper was also a black woman who was born a slave however was educated, eventually earning her PhD and inspiring other black women that education was the key in uplifting their race. Black women have been thriving by being a part of all professions even creating their own businesses even through times where similar issues facing their race may continue to linger. 

These women, especially black women, fought endlessly for the right to vote during a time where not only sexism was an issue but also racism which discriminated and segregated against many African Americans during the late 19th century. Women in general really came a long way since life was a lot different just 100 years ago, where the lives of women were more complicated and limited than the roles of women in today’s society. 

Fawzina’s snapshot showed a clear representation of the facial expressions from the women during the suffrage movement as they looked fed up and unhappy while reinforcing and demanding for women’s rights. Women wanted to be valued and respected so they can achieve fundamental human rights being able to be as legal and equal as men. As a female I want to create a productive and successful life for myself because I cannot take for granted all the hard work and dedication women had in fulfilling their dreams.