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Gendered Activism in Oklahoma: A Historical Perspective from the 1870s to the 2024s

Emanuel Bell

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Published in This Land Is Herland: Gendered Activism In Oklahoma From The 1870s To The 2024s (Women And The American West 1)

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Oklahoma has a rich history of gendered activism, with women playing a pivotal role in shaping the state's social, political, and economic landscape. From the early days of the Oklahoma Territory to the present day, women have been at the forefront of movements for change, advocating for equality, justice, and opportunity.

This Land Is Herland: Gendered Activism in Oklahoma from the 1870s to the 2024s (Women and the American West 1)

This Land Is Herland: Gendered Activism in Oklahoma from the 1870s to the 2024s (Women and the American West Book 1)

by Sarah Eppler Janda

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14235 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	297 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

The Early Years: 1870s-1920s

The opening of the Oklahoma Territory in 1889 brought an influx of settlers from across the United States, including many women who were seeking new opportunities and a chance to build a better life. These women quickly became involved in a variety of reform movements, including the temperance movement, the suffrage movement, and the education movement.

One of the most prominent women activists of this era was Carrie Chapman Catt, who moved to Oklahoma Territory in 1890 and became a leading figure in the suffrage movement. Catt helped to organize the Oklahoma Woman Suffrage Association and played a key role in the campaign for women's suffrage in Oklahoma, which was granted in 1918.

The Interwar Years: 1920s-1940s

After the passage of the 19th Amendment, women in Oklahoma continued to be active in politics and social reform. During the interwar years, women played a leading role in the fight against prohibition, the campaign for child labor laws, and the movement for equal pay for equal work.

One of the most notable women activists of this era was Alice Robertson, who served as Oklahoma's first female representative in the U.S. Congress from 1921 to 1923. Robertson was a strong advocate for women's rights and social welfare programs, and she played a key role in the passage of the Sheppard-Towner Act, which provided federal funding for maternal and child health care.

The Post-World War II Era: 1940s-1960s

The post-World War II era saw a resurgence of activism among women in Oklahoma, who were inspired by the growing civil rights movement and the second wave of feminism.

One of the most important women activists of this era was Clara Luper, who founded the Oklahoma City chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1949. Luper led the NAACP's fight against segregation and discrimination in Oklahoma, and she played a key role in the desegregation of Oklahoma City's schools in 1955.

The Contemporary Era: 1970s-Present

In the contemporary era, women in Oklahoma have continued to be active in a wide range of social and political movements, including the pro-choice movement, the LGBTQ rights movement, and the Black Lives Matter movement.

One of the most prominent women activists of this era is Rebecca Hamilton, who founded the Oklahoma Women's Coalition in 1984. The Coalition is a non-profit organization that works to promote women's rights and empowerment in Oklahoma, and it has played a key role in the passage of numerous laws that have benefited women and families.

The history of gendered activism in Oklahoma is a story of progress and change, as women have fought for and won greater equality, justice, and opportunity. From the early days of the Oklahoma Territory to the present day, women have been at the forefront of movements for change, and they have played a pivotal role in shaping the state's social, political, and economic landscape.

As we look to the future, it is clear that women will continue to be a driving force for change in Oklahoma and around the world. The challenges that women face today are different from those that they faced in the past, but the spirit of activism that has always characterized women in Oklahoma remains strong.

This Land Is Herland: Gendered Activism in Oklahoma from the 1870s to the 2024s (Women and the American West Book 1)

by Sarah Eppler Janda

5 out of 5