W HAT EFFECT DID THE 1920’ S HAVE ON W OMEN ’ S ROLES, AS DEPICTED IN A MERICAN VISUAL CULTURE ? T HE ROAD TO WOMAN ’ S INDEPENDENCE … By Caitlin Bolembach

T HE ROAD TO WOMAN ’ S INDEPENDENCE :1920’ S After World War I, certain social patterns broke out of a traditional mold, and people began adopting new ideas and ways of life. This brought a new kind of individual freedom, and the most notable changes were made to women and their lives. Since many female citizens became a part of the war effort, they naturally assumed the right to vote after the war. Soon, women's suffrage became law in many countries, including the United States and Germany. In addition, women's clothing and hairstyles changed dramatically, as many of them abandoned restrictive items of the Pre-World War I era. Women in the 1920's had "bobbed" hair, wore makeup, drove cars, and smoked cigarettes in public.

T HE ROAD TO WOMAN ’ S INDEPENDENCE :1920 S This art exhibition has displayed seven pieces of artwork through paintings, photographs and political cartoons, all depicting the central message of ways that woman took a stand at gaining their independence in society. The 1920’s was a very positive and influential decade for the lives of woman and the artwork I have chosen celebrates it.