Historical Developments that Presented New Opportunities and Desires Term Paper

Historical Developments that Presented New Opportunities and Desires for Women - Term Paper Example Introduction Today, with women occupying many high ranking positions at work both in the private and public sectors, it is difficult to imagine and contextualize a time in the past when they were confined to the household and generally restricted and discriminated upon when it comes to the issue of working and employment. It is even no longer fashionable to talk about the glass ceiling in the corporate ladder presently because many female executives are making waves in the corporate world. While, America is yet to see a female president, there is no shortage of powerful female politicians that became influential in Washington and overseas. It is, unarguably, the best time yet for American women to live, work, compete and achieve things for themselves. Looking back, the women of the past were not that lucky. They have to fight for equality and for the recognition that they, too, have rights and capabilities that can be as useful and meaningful as those of men’s. Remember the La dies In the early years of the United States as a country, the first opportunity for change emerged. It was in search for the values, norms, identity and character that would define the nation. There are several notable women who made a difference and helped shape the course of the path that America took during these times. For instance, there is the case of the documented correspondence between John Adams and his wife, Abigail Adams, which demonstrated how Mrs. Adams led the women of her day to empower women and fight for their rights. In a letter dated March 31, 1776, she wrote her husband during the Continental Congress, which is on the process of drafting the Declaration of Independence. She reminded Adams that: I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. The correspondence did not reveal the extent of the impact of Abigail Adams’ admonitions. In the end, the Founding Fathers came up with the classic line in the Declaration that, â€Å"all men are created equal.† Her experience depicted how the American society during this period has displayed a stereotypical view of women, wherein they are widely seen to belong at home in the so-called cult of domesticity. Nonetheless, Abigail Adams is considered one of the pioneering women that launched the process of women emancipation and gender equality. Her actions served as an inspiration for many feminists that would come after her. More and more women became educated as schools were set up for them by individuals who advocate equal rights. There are numerous other developments driven by individual personages and they all influenced the trajectory of women empowerment later on. In 1933, Eleanor Roosevelt became influential in advancing many of the women’s causes. During the Great Depressio n, she was at the forefront of those exhorting women to contribute something to their country and to alleviate the crisis. In one of her pronouncements, she stated that, â€Å"The women know that life must go on and that the needs of life must be met and it is their courage and determination which, time and again, have pulled us