Women in North America didn’t always have the freedom they had today. In 1920, American women were finally given the right to vote (Weatherford). In Canada, the Quebecoises were the last to be given the right to vote in 1940 (Strong-Boag). Women struggled for a centuries to get the same rights as men. This is called the woman suffrage movement. In the 19th century, Canadian women were frustrated: “ women were no longer willing or able to accept domestic life as their only legitimate concern.” (Cook, 10). With that being mentioned, for a typical north american woman their job was to cook, clean and organize their household. It was rare for an individual to be “educated and reasonably well-paid” (Cook, 11). Those who did have professional jobs …show more content…
In addition to women not having a place in the workforce, they didn’t have the right to wear pants, sign contracts to rent or buy a home, get a credit card, to be the guardian of their children, to have their own paychecks or to vote in elections. (Weatherford). This illustrates that women were not acknowledge or notice. They didn’t have a say in what was happening in their own society. For the most part, they were powerless. This is why they wanted the right to vote. If they get to vote who represents the society, they get to have a say in decisions and in the laws. Thus, they could gain some freedom. Religion played a role in maintaining women’s influence to a minimum. North America’s most practiced religion was Christianity (Cleverdon). In christianity, they value family. What connects family is the woman of the house: “It was woman’s calling to ensure the health and vigour of the family, whereas public life was man’s special vocation.” (Cook 16). This states that a woman’s purpose was to be home and take care of the household. For the sake of religious matters, giving women less freedom and power would allow the religion to be kept. In previous centuries, Quebec was a province that truly valued their religion. This is why they were the last province to give women the right to vote (Cook …show more content…
It is known that women athenians didn’t have the right to an education to learn how to write and read (O’Neal 117). Even though North American women weren’t allowed to get an education, there were some occasions were a woman would get an education and become professionals. For instance, Octavia Grace Ritchie became “the first woman to receive a medical degree in Québec” (Gillet). This is perhaps why there are some documents that are written by women, because they had the ability to write. The Athenians praised women who succeeded where as North Americans would criticize women who strived for freedom. For example, Athenians appreciated the work that Chrysis did. Whereas women who did something excellent in North America was criticized. For instance, Frances Wright, a contributor to women’s independence was criticized on her views (Weatherford). Leaders were criticized and not praised like the Athenians. In terms of religion, Athenians had more power than North Americans. They incorporated priestesses who played a major role in their religion. North Americans didn’t have an equivalent in their religion. Instead religion held them back. Religious people feared that women would become powerful and the households would fall apart. In terms of politics, both women in Athens