Pattie Ruffner Jacobs Women’s Suffragist 1875 - 1935

Vocabulary Word suf·frage –noun 1. the right to vote, especially in a political election. 2. a vote given in favor of a proposed measure or candidate..

Vocabulary Word de·pres·sion –noun 1. saddness, gloom 2. a period during which business and employment remain at a very low level of activity.

Vocabulary Word pov·er·ty –noun 1. the state or condition of having little or no money; being poor.

Early Life Born in West Virginia in 1875 into a family of educators and ministers. The depression of the 1890s sent her family into poverty. After her parent’s marriage ended, she and her mother moved to Birmingham. Began to question attitudes toward women. Objected to the lower position in which women were placed.

Teen Aged Years Rebelled against Southern society’s attitudes toward women. Began to think independently. Was denied a college education.

Early Adulthood Married Solon Jacobs, a Birmingham businessman. She and Solon had two daughters. Wanted a different life for her daughters so began to try to bring about change in attitudes toward women.

Activities Made efforts to put an end to child labor Became active in the Salvation Army and the Jefferson Co. AntiTuberculosis Assoc. Believed women should have the right to vote.

Women’s Rights Began the Birmingham and the Alabama Equal Suffrage Associations. Was an officer in the National Woman Suffrage Association. Worked for the 19th amendment to the Constitution giving women the right to vote.

Women’s Rights in the Early 20th Century Women earned 19% of all college degrees (only 19 out of every 100). Women’s pay was lower than men’s. Women could not speak before an audience that included men. Most women did not work outside their home.

Women’s Rights in the Early 20th Century Society believed women to be inferior. Women could not attend many colleges. Few women held public offices. Women could not even vote!

Women’s Rights in the 21st Century The law requires equal pay for women doing equal work. Women earn over 50% of all college degrees earned each year. Women can speak before any audience. Women have the right to vote. Most women have jobs or careers. Women are free to run for public office.

References Alabama Department of Archives and History. (n.d.). Retrieved February 5, 2008, from http://www.alabamamoments.state.al.us/sec39det.html Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame. (2000). Retrieved February 5, 2008, from http://www.awhf.org/jacobs.html Wikipedia. (2007). Retrieved February 5, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patti_Ruffner_Jacobs

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