This article, featured in March 14, 1921 Perth Amboy Evening News, refutes the notion that women belong in the home by showing seven women who developed successful careers. The first woman shown works for a jail alongside her father who is the sheriff and deputy. While her father tracks down bootleggers, her daughter is “sprinkling sunshine on the moonshiners.” Some of the professions mentioned includes lawyer, clerk, and gardener. There is also a woman who runs a black fox farm, costing $2,500 per pair.
The article above,featured in August 9, 1923 Perth Amboy Evening News, mentions two women who have succeeded in their legal careers. Miss Gavin is a city attorney in The Dalles, Oregon and believed to be the only woman in charge of legal affairs west of the Rockies. Miss Darden Moose of Little Rock, Arkansas was a high school teacher before becoming assistant attorney general.
According to this article, featured in August 9, 1923 Perth Amboy Evening News, out of 572 occupations listed in the census, only 35 failed to show employment of women. Therefore, it is more evident that women deserve equal pay. However, this has met with resistance from those who believe equal pay will pull women away from the home and their roles as wives and mothers.
Some believe in order to preserve marriage, colleges should forbid coeducation as mentioned in the article above, featured in October 14, 1921 Perth Amboy Evening News. In this article, Dr. William W. Guth, president of Goucher College, believes that it is necessary to liberate women from their “present, unnatural, masculine education.” Many teachers see women in the classrooms as an unnecessary evil. He supports the idea of women expanding their education if it means being more useful in the home and community.
As women crave careers, many wonder what effect this has on marriage and family life. This article is featured in June 16, 1909 The Newark Evening Star and Newark Advertiser.
(Contributed by Kristi Chanda)