Isabella Carter
The Constitution of the United States was signed on September 17, 1787, by delegates who had agreed to keep their discussions confidential until the final document was revealed. The Constitution included women and called for their protection as members of society. However, it did not grant women the right to vote or discuss their rights and duties. While the term persons was used instead of men, indicating that women were not explicitly excluded from political participation, it would still take decades for women to gain the right to vote. The journey towards enshrining equal rights for women in the Constitution has been long, with the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) first introduced in Congress 98 years ago and finally ratified by the required 38 states in 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Women's work | Not intellectually stimulating |
| Women's rights | Not conferred by the Constitution of the United States |
| Women's inclusion in the Constitution | Indirect |
| Women's suffrage | Granted in 1920 |
| Women's political power | Excluded |
| Women's education | Equal to men's, according to Judith Sargent Murray |
| Women's influence | Through husbands and sons |
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What You'll Learn
Women's work and political participation
The United States Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, did not explicitly mention women, and there is no record of any discussion about women, their rights, or their duties during the Constitutional Convention. However, the use of the word "persons" instead of "men" in the Constitution indicated an inclusive vision that did not explicitly exclude women from political participation.
During the time of the Constitution's drafting, some women advocated for their inclusion in the new American political system. Notable figures include Eliza Harriot, who opened a girls' boarding school in New York City that offered progressive education, and Judith Sargent Murray, who, in 1790, published an essay titled "On the Equality of the Sexes" in The Massachusetts Magazine. These women challenged traditional gender norms and advocated for women's education and equal rights.
Despite these efforts, women were not granted the right to vote until the passage of the 19th Amendment over a century later. Even then, the amendment fell short of guaranteeing voting rights for all women, particularly women of color and those with limited financial status. It was not until 1923 that the National Woman's Party proposed a Constitutional amendment explicitly stating that "Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States." This proposal marked a significant step toward ensuring that women's work and political participation were recognized and protected by the Constitution.
Since then, there have been numerous milestones in the fight for women's rights and political participation. In 1928, Genevieve Rose Cline of Ohio became the first woman to be a federal judge. In 1933, Frances Perkins became the first female Cabinet member, serving as Secretary of Labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 2013, the Violence Against Women Act was reauthorized, extending coverage to women of Native American tribal lands, lesbians, and immigrants. In 2016, Hillary Clinton made history by becoming the first female presidential candidate for a major political party. These achievements reflect the ongoing advancement of women's political participation and representation in the United States.
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The Constitution's impact on women's rights
During the time of the Constitutional Convention, some women, such as Abigail Adams and Judith Sargent Murray, advocated for greater rights and equality for women. Adams, in a letter to her husband John Adams, who was working to establish the new country's laws, requested him to "Remember the Ladies." Despite these early calls for gender equality, it took decades for women to gain the right to vote, and the fight for equal rights continued well into the 20th century.
The 19th Amendment, passed in 1920, granted women the right to vote, but it did not ensure equal treatment for all women, particularly women of color and those with limited financial status. The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), first introduced in Congress in 1921 by Alice Paul, the head of the National Women's Party, aimed to address this issue. The ERA asserted that equality of rights under the law could not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of sex.
Despite opposition and fears of change, the ERA gained support from leaders of both parties and various organizations. It was passed by Congress in 1972, and in 2022, Virginia became the 38th and final state needed to ratify the amendment. The ERA represents a significant step towards enshrining equal rights among the sexes in the US Constitution and ensuring that the government does not discriminate against its people based on gender identity or sex.
In addition to the fight for voting rights and legal equality, women have also had to contend with laws and social norms that limited their work and career opportunities. For example, a 1924 New York state case, Radice v. New York, upheld a law that forbade waitresses from working the night shift but made exceptions for entertainers and ladies' room attendants. The 1933 National Recovery Act also resulted in many women losing their jobs as it forbade more than one family member from holding a government job. Despite these challenges, women have made significant strides in politics and government, with Frances Perkins becoming the first female Cabinet member in 1933 and Hillary Clinton becoming the first female presidential candidate for a major political party in 2016.
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Early American women's influence on the Constitution
While the term "sex" was mentioned during the Constitutional Convention, there is no record of any discussions about women's rights or duties. The Constitution did, however, include women and called for their protection as members of society. The delegates chose to use the word "persons" instead of "men", indicating that women were included in the Constitution. This shift from property to persons as the basis for representation made it difficult to justify excluding women.
Despite this inclusion, women's rights and political significance in early America were often overlooked. After the American Revolution, the laws of coverture, which stated that married women lost their legal identity, remained in place. Women were unable to own property, manage their finances, or sign legal documents. Their husbands, fathers, and brothers were expected to take on these responsibilities. Men were also expected to represent their female relatives in politics.
Some early American women advocated for their rights through their writing. For example, Abigail Adams, the wife of John Adams, who was working to establish the new country's laws, asked her husband to "Remember the Ladies" when crafting the laws. She wanted women to have more rights under the new American government. Other women, such as enslaved poet Phillis Wheatley and Judith Sargent Murray, also challenged stereotypes and questioned the status of women through their writing.
It is important to note that the fight for women's rights and influence in American politics continued well into the 20th century. In 1923, the National Woman's Party proposed a Constitutional amendment calling for equal rights for men and women. In 1928, Genevieve Rose Cline of Ohio became the first woman to be a federal judge. And in 2016, Hilary Clinton became the first female presidential candidate for a major political party.
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Women's suffrage and the fight for equality
The fight for women's suffrage and equality in the United States has been a long and arduous journey, spanning centuries. The Declaration of Independence in 1776 stated that "all men are created equal," but notably excluded women from the promise of equality. Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams, who was working to establish the new country's laws, wrote to her husband, urging him to "Remember the Ladies." She wanted women to have more rights under the new American government, but her husband responded dismissively, believing that women should influence society without political power.
During the late 18th century, some women, such as Judith Sargent Murray, challenged traditional gender norms and advocated for women's rights. Murray's essay, "On the Equality of the Sexes," published in 1790, argued for women's education and equal value with men. Mary Wollstonecraft, an English writer, also contributed to this discourse with her work, "A Vindication of the Rights of Women," published in 1792. These women, along with others like Eliza Harriot, influenced the framing of the Constitution and challenged the notion that only white men should hold political power.
However, despite these efforts, women were still excluded from the right to vote and actively participate in politics. It wasn't until 1920 with the passage of the 19th Amendment that women were granted the right to vote. Even then, women of color and those with limited financial status continued to face suppression and discrimination in exercising their voting rights. The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), first introduced in Congress in 1921 by Alice Paul, sought to address these inequalities and guarantee equal rights for all women.
The fight for equality continued throughout the 20th century, with significant milestones achieved along the way. In 1923, the National Woman's Party proposed a Constitutional amendment calling for equal rights for men and women. In 1928, Genevieve Rose Cline of Ohio became the first woman to be a federal judge. In 1933, Frances Perkins became the first female Cabinet member, serving as Secretary of Labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
In recent years, there have been important developments in the fight for women's equality. In 2013, the Violence Against Women Act was reauthorized, extending coverage to women of Native American tribal lands, lesbians, and immigrants. In 2016, Hillary Clinton became the first female presidential candidate for a major political party. While there have been setbacks, such as the Supreme Court's decision in 2022 to overrule Roe v. Wade, endangering abortion rights, the journey toward women's equality in the United States has been a testament to the resilience and determination of women advocates throughout history.
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The role of women in society and the economy
Women have played a variety of roles in society and the economy throughout the history of the United States, often facing significant barriers to their participation and rights. During the time of the Constitution's drafting in 1787, women were not explicitly excluded from the political process, with the document using the word "persons" instead of "men". However, in practice, women were largely excluded from political life and did not have the right to vote.
Some women during this period, such as Eliza Harriot and Judith Sargent Murray, advocated for their inclusion and education. Murray, born in 1751, challenged traditional notions of women's work and education in her essay "On the Equality of the Sexes", published in 1790. Mary Wollstonecraft, an English writer, also promoted women's rights, publishing "A Vindication of the Rights of Women" in 1792. These women and others influenced the framing of the Constitution, ensuring that language was included that did not explicitly shut women out of citizenship and future political discussions.
Despite these efforts, it took decades for women to gain the right to vote, and the fight for equal rights and representation continues to this day. The 19th Amendment, passed 101 years ago, granted women the right to vote, but it did not guarantee voting rights for all women, particularly women of colour and those with limited financial means. The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), first introduced in Congress 98 years ago, aims to enshrine equal rights between the sexes in the Constitution and protect against discrimination based on sex. While the ERA has faced fierce opposition, it recently took a significant step forward with its ratification by the required 38 states.
Women have also made significant contributions to the economy throughout history. For example, in 1933, Frances Perkins became the first female Cabinet member, serving as Secretary of Labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1928, Genevieve Rose Cline of Ohio became the first woman to be a federal judge. However, women have also faced setbacks in the economy, such as the 1932 National Recovery Act, which resulted in many women losing their jobs due to a provision forbidding more than one family member from holding a government position.
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Frequently asked questions
No, women did not have the right to vote during the time of the Constitution. It would take decades for women to gain the right to vote.
Women did not have any direct political power during the time of the Constitution. However, it is important to note that women influenced the framing of the Constitution and the language used. The final document did not shut women out of citizenship and future discussions.
Yes, there were female advocates for women's rights during this time, such as Eliza Harriot, who gave lectures and influenced the opinions of those involved in the Constitutional Convention. Another advocate was Judith Sargent Murray, who published an essay titled "On the Equality of the Sexes" in 1790, which argued for women's education and equal value.
The Constitution did not specifically mention women, but it included language that allowed for the inclusion of women. The delegates chose to use the word "persons" instead of "men," indicating that women were considered part of the governed.
Women gained the right to vote in the United States with the passage of the 19th Amendment, which was ratified 101 years ago. However, it is important to note that even after the 19th Amendment, many women of color and those with limited financial status continued to face suppression and discrimination in voting rights.
