- In the 1920s, some women’s lives changed radically due to the introduction of new rights and jobs.
- The 19th Amendment was ratified in August 1920, and some women voted in the November 1920 election.
- Societal changes were reflected in fashion, which incorporated shorter, looser skirts and dresses.
The 1920s brought huge changes for women. During World War I, they proved they could handle the jobs left by men who’d gone to war; the right to vote helped solidify some women’s new position in society; and the fashion pendulum swung away from constricting corsets and bustles toward shorter, looser dresses and skirts.
However, despite this period of immense change, American beliefs surrounding race remained firmly rooted in the past. Black, Asian, Latina, and Indigenous women were still subjected to overt racism, violence, and prejudicial lawmaking that hindered — and even barred — their access to the rights and privileges afforded to many white women.
Before the Great Depression hit, it was also a time of great prosperity, but only for a select few: In 1928, the highest 1% of families earned almost a quarter of all pretax income, the Pew Research Center reported. Thus, the Roaring Twenties were marked by the juxtaposition of the glitz and glamour of Gatsby’s New York City and the harsh realities often overlooked throughout history.
In honor of Women’s History Month, here are 55 photos that offer a glimpse at what life was like for women in the 1920s.
