Role of Women in Texas History Prior

Role of Women in Texas History

Prior to the Civil Rights Movement and the legalization of the 19th Amendment during the 1950s-1960s, the women sector have been an active proponent for the liberalization and equality of their rights with that of male citizens in the country. Texas is an example of an American state wherein its women minority had illustrated an active movement for women's rights and liberalization from a highly patriarchal American (and Texan) society. Before the advent of the 20th century, Texan women are already mobilizing and 'invading' the legislative bodies of the government to implement and enforce policies that promotes equal opportunity for women and men in the social, political, and economic aspects of living, promoted the goodwill of the society through bills and policies approved that monitor the welfare of the youth, and prevent violence and juvenile delinquency from happening/occurring. These important policies were formed and implemented in the 19th century, and the following policies are listed as follows: favored the Prohibition "as a solution to the poverty and domestic violence that often resulted when husbands drank heavily," establishment of the boy's reformatory to avoid putting juveniles along with adult criminals in prisons, "alcohol education in the public schools," prohibition of selling cigarettes to minors, and changing the legal minor age from 10-12 years to 18 years. All of these feats were achieved by an organization called the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the primary mover of the rights of women in the society and politics during the 19th century. Their active participation in social issues that plague the 19th century society illustrates how women, although they haven't achieved full, legal recognition as a liberal force in the American society, have been mobilizing to specifically fight for their right to be treated as an equal being to men, and to show that woman are able to participate actively in politics and discuss and seek for action about major social issues in the state.

Through the years, women organizations in Texas have been formed to act against a faulty policy of the government, or to ensure that women are given proper treatment and rights in school, in work, and in the society in general. The advent of 20th century, termed as the Progressive Era, marked a renewed movement for the liberalization and activism of women in Texas politics. Women organizations also sought for reforms on labor code policies, such as the changing of the legal policy of "maximum fifty-hour work week and ten hour day for women" to a nine-hour workday restriction only. This amendment of policies have ensured that women are not overworked and underpaid, and will still have time to rest, and attend to her family's needs as well as for herself. Also, educational institutions began accepting women as members of their school boards, and were given a chance to voice out their opinions about certain issues, such as proper child development and other issues concerning the youth. Ultimately, the legalization of the 19th Amendment, which gives women the right to vote in elections, paved the way for women to finally able to run in public office. Women organizations in Texas have helped this opportunity become a reality, one of which the Texas Woman Citizen's Committee have been actively participating in, supporting women candidates for public offices. In 1957, an organization called the Business and Professional Women actively rallied for the legalization of the Texas Equal Rights Amendment, which was eventually passed in 1971.