Girl+Power

Essential Question: What does it mean to be female in America?

Challenge: Although some people still think otherwise, we will prove that women are just as capable as men and should have equal rights.

- In the 20th century, how have women fought for their rights? Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony led the National Women Suffrage Association. This Association was set up to fight for women’s rights. They held marches across the country, which Congress then granted them the 19th Amendment. They also set up The League of Women Voters. This league was formed so that they could fight for their rights to vote. They also wanted to gain more influence in politics. This Association helped gain more rights for women.
 * Guiding Questions**

- Who are some women that have been a part of fighting for women's right? Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony played a big role in the women's rights movement. Together they created the National Women Suffrage Association. Lucy Stone created the American Women Suffrage Association. These two organizations joined together in 1890. Finally in 1920, women were allowed to vote.

- Survey question: How equal do you think women and men are in todays society?

- How are women's roles different today than in the past (jobs)? In the past, women had basically no rights. The role of an average woman in the past consisted of getting married, having children, and caring for the children, household, and her husband. But as the years started to progress especially when industrialization and immigration hit, women started to gain rights. Women gained the right to work in other places other than their own home. They then right to vote and own property. These rights progressed into even bigger ones. Today women have the right to marry whomever they want, can be a CEO of a company as well as a famous actress or performer.

- Search for Internet articles.
 * Guiding Activities**

- Conduct a class survey for the survey question.

- Interview a women with an authoritative job: Squiccimarri.

- The following websites were used to show women's roles in the past and today. [] [] [] [] []
 * Guiding Resources**


 * Results from Class Survey**

-42.8 % of students answered Yes, men and women are equal in today’s society. -Another 42.7 % said No, men and women are not equal in today’s society Some say that teachers favor girls more, and women are rising quickly in society while men are staying the same. -The other 14.3 % said they are not sure if men and women are equal in today’s society.

-100 % of students said that they think women have come a long way in achieving rights that they didn’t have in the past Many students said that women’s suffrage was a huge accomplishment for women.

-71.4 % of students said they think there is discrimination in the work force Some said that there is discrimination against women and sexual harassment Some students said that women usually have higher positions than men, some said the opposite. Some students said that men don’t think women can do what other men can, and also that women don’t trust men to work hard.

-76.2 % of students said yes, they have witnessed discrimination against women One student said that students often think they can misbehave if they have a female teacher, and the consequences won’t be as harsh as with a male teacher One student said that they see discrimination in sports, as women and men cannot play against eachother. They see this as a smaller form of segregation.


 * An Interview with Mrs. Squiccimarri**

//Do you think a woman thirty years ago could have held the title of a Vice Principal?// I think times have certainly changed in the past thirty years. Although female Vice Principals were not as popular then, it was a turning point and the beginning of an influx of women in administrative positions in schools.

//How have roles of women changed in the workforce over the years?// Women are now holding more administrative titles and old attitudes and behaviors have certainly changed. The 'boys club' of old has certainly diminished. Companies are experimenting with policies that are family-friendly as well as on-site child care policies that benefit both men and women. One of the many of the explanations behind the advancement of women in the work place is the fact that more and more women are taking on the challenge of pursuing higher education degrees.

//Have you ever had to overcome discrimination in your job?// I have never really dealt with discrimination but have heard many stories. Today, men and women are more aware of discrimination and sexual harassment issues then previously.

//Are you proud to be a powerful woman in a male dominated field?// I am extremely proud to be in the position I am in but I am also fortunate to work with colleagues that view me as an equal and are not at all discriminatory.

//How would you encourage young woman to overcome other peoples prejudice and become successful?// I encourage my daughters, as well as other young women never to rely on anyone but themselves. Never underestimate themselves or what they can become and to continue pursuing their education.


 * Solution:** According to our research and findings, we concluded that although women have come a long way in achieving equal rights some people in society still view them as not having complete equality.