Women's Lives in the Victorian Era ~ The Change was Inevidible

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The 'Victorian Era' was from June 1837 and January of 1901. During that time women were treated as if they had no brains and had no rights. About 1850 many women began to challenge social norms. One of those women was the 7th duchess of Bedford, Anna Maria Russell. She started the fashion of inviting friends over for a light afternoon lunch. She would get a "sinking feeling between lunch and late dinner" that at times weren't until 7 or 8p.m. Being the lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria she had the social standing to influence upper-class customs. Slowly woman began to speak out and numerous organizations were formed with attempts to end certain abuses. Most famous among these women were Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Stanton, Millicent Fawcett, Carrie Chapman Catt, Anna Howard Shaw, and Ida B. Wells. The names go on and on. The 19th Amendment was not passed until June 4, 1919, and was ratified on August 18, 1920. Few early supporters were alive to see it. Women organized, lectured, wrote, marched, lobbied and practiced civil disobedience to achieve what many Americans felt was a radical change to the Constitution. It was a long and arduous road. We still don't have what we need but we can thank many women for helping us get where we are today.