Page:Theresa Serber Malkiel - Woman of Yesterday and To-day.djvu/14



The first half of the nineteenth century was a great iconoclast. It tore our conception of woman's sphere from its age-long mooring place, shattered all former traditions, trampled on custom and convention, creating chaos and dissatisfaction where peace and submission formerly reigned. The second half of the century has on the other hand given women the wonderful impetus which prompted them to rebuild on the ruins of the past. With the growth of industrialism, in the midst of general expansion, women took their place alongside of the men, exceeding them in some branches, holding their own in others, everywhere doing their best and convincing society that it must make room for them in the outside world, must, sooner or later, grant them the right of way.

The colleges opened their doors to women and, of course, the professions, sciences and arts had to accept them as legitimate participants. Before long commerce made the discovery that women were necessary to its success. Organized labor now claimed them for its own. The most hostile mixed trades invited their women co-workers to join the union, urged them to form separate locals, if they so wished.

Woman's place in society was advancing at the rate of a year in an hour. In view of this the Legislators of their own accord granted to women legal recognition and greater political rights. First came the granting of school suffrage and a voice and vote in the management of educational institutions. This was followed by the granting to women municipal suffrage in some States and tax suffrage in others, while one of the far western