Women worked to reform society during the Progressive Era. Here are examples of reform that women fought for:

Question

Jane Addams joined the settlement house movement to provide services to struggling families.
Carrie Nation blamed many issues at the time on alcohol consumption and advocated to restrict the availability of alcohol through the temperance movement.
Women also sought the right to vote to make their advocacy more effective on a national level.
In your opinion, which of the above examples do you feel was the most important to fight for at that time and why?
(5 sentences)

Answer 1

In my opinion, the fight for women's suffrage was the most important reform during the Progressive Era. Gaining the right to vote empowered women to influence laws and policies that directly affected their lives and the lives of their families. While initiatives like the temperance movement and settlement houses addressed immediate social issues, suffrage provided a structural change that could ensure long-term progress. By securing their voting rights, women could advocate for a broader range of reforms, including labor rights, education, and health care. Ultimately, the ability to vote was foundational for achieving lasting societal change and advancing the causes women cared deeply about.