Growing up as a woman has never been easy. Men assumed that women only had two jobs, keeping the house clean and having children. Fortunately, many women throughout history have paved the way by making it easier for all 21st century women to work outside the home, vote, earn more money, hold positions of power, and achieve all of their dreams. Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Madeleine Albright, and Lucy Stone, to name a few, played a part in helping little girls dream big dreams and realize that their dreams were achievable. Through their hard work, determination and suffering, women are more equal than ever. Historians usually like to divide the history of the United States into different “eras.” An important era for women's rights was the Progressive Era, which lasted from 1890 to the 1920s. (Reformation) Women of this era were married, middle class, stay-at-home moms. And African American women were normally still forced into slavery. (Reform) During this period, however, more and more women began to find work outside the home. They started working in department stores and office jobs. They were even graduating from college and becoming lawyers, doctors, scientists, and other jobs done by men. Changes also occurred for African American women during this era. They began to look for work in factories and as domestic servants. (Reform) Women also began to realize that if they banded together, they could change the way things were done. They formed clubs and groups to organize their efforts, make their mark and fight for the rights of all women. They helped push for clean water, playgrounds, public libraries and more. (Reform)The women's rights movement began in 1848 with the first...... middle of paper......"Nothing - nothing makes me happier than when a young woman or girl comes to me and says 'Thank you so much for what you did.' (Kandil) The fight for women's rights continues today in many countries, but because of many women in the history of the United States, life for women is much easier than it was 100 years ago. Leaders of the women's rights movement fought long and hard for equal rights for all women, regardless of color, creed, or political involvement. Thanks to their struggles and determination, we can now vote, work freely and own property. Others, like Madeleine Albright, continue to encourage young women and girls to argue that politics needs women to hold positions of power and decision-making authority. Without the hard work of these great women leaders and the consistent work of many others, women's rights could have been very different.