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Introduction During the early 19th century, many women were highly active abolitionists and organized anti-slavery conventions. Over time, women were frustrated by the inequalities regarding suffrage, or the right to vote, based not only on race but also on gender. Women rights advocates demanded that the government prohibit all states from disfranchising American citizens on the grounds of sex. By 1848, the Women’s Suffrage Movement was gaining momentum and became a national movement which lasted 72 years. 3

How is this historical movement relevant to your life? There is a direct correlation between the women’s rights movement and modern human rights movements. By the end of this WebQuest,you will discover the significance of the proposed 1923 Equal Rights Amendment and how it effects your rights and freedoms as American citizens. 4

Freedom of Speech and freedom of the press Activists promoted their cause for gender equality through the power of mass media and the press. Many women rights activists established newspapers and journals devoted to women suffrage. 5

You have just been hired by one of the following women’s suffrage newspapers: - The Lily - The Revolution - The Woman Citizen - Woman’s Journal The newspapers above were established during different periods of the movement. Since the movement lasted for 72 years, each group will be assigned a specific time period and newspaper. You will be assigned to a group of four or five and will then establish your own newspaper team. Your Task

Each student will be responsible for conducting research on a specific topic significant to the women’s suffrage movement. As journalists, you will be assigned one of the following jobs:Editor/Photographer Biographer or Interviewer Legal Informant On Scene Reporter

Editor/Photographer The newspaper Editor is one of the most important positions and leader of the newspaper.  has overall responsibility for the publication's content  reads and revises the articles  checking facts and references  in charge of the newspapers layout, organization, and graphic design

Legal Informant: You are responsible for researching proposed bills, laws, or legislation decisions in relation your assigned time period, including:  the most important person or persons who proposed the bill or law  the purpose and goal of the bill  the government’s response  the overall outcome of the bill

On-Scene Reporter You will be responsible for doing research on a specific event significant to the women’s suffrage movement, including:  the most important person or persons involved in the event  the issue addressed  the purpose and goal of the event, convention, or meeting  why the event occurred, what exactly happened, when, and where the event took place

Biographer: You are responsible to write a biographical article on a significant person living during the time period assigned, answering the following questions:  Who is the person?  When and where did the person live?  What were his or her contributions to the movement?  Did the person organize any specific meetings, protests, or campaigns? If yes, give a detailed description.

Interview Reporter: You will choose a significant women’s suffrage advocate to interview.  Decide on a specific topic or goal of importance  to the interviewee  Use background information about the person to develop 10 interview questions  Write up the interview in a logical sequence creating a voice for the interviewee  Present the facts, the developed questions, and quotes from the interviewee

Each group member will draft questions to form a research strategy for the historical period your group is assigned to research. Be sure to answer the following questions:  What is your topic?  Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How?  How is your topic significant to the Women’s Suffrage Movement?

Next, you will begin to research your topic, using the WebQuest guidelines and instructions to complete your task.