Each woman faced the decision to either challenge or accommodate the traditional role of women.Matilda Bradley CarseAlice AustenAni DeFrancoMarilyn Monroe

Matilda Bradley Carse

Born September 19, 1835Time Period she was active: Gilded

Age (mid 1860s to early 1900s)

Women and the Gilded Age Known for political involvement during

campaigns and electionsBegan to take action in prohibition

Matilda’s Many InvolvementsWCTU (Women’s Christian Temperance

Union) WTPA (Women’s Temperance Publishing

Association) Temperance Temple

Matilda and the WCTUShe was the president of the Chicago

chapter of the WCTUSponsored activities that took place in the

WCTU Was capable of providing economic aid to

the WCTU through various fund raisers she put together.

Created social reforms to aid the Chicago Slums

Logo of the WCTU

Matilda and the WTPAShe founded the association, this

published a weekly newspaper called “The Signal”.

This association published books and articles that were in favor of the WCTU and the temperance movement.

She provided employment for many women.

Wrote various articles herself.Overall a success as a businesswomen.

Matilda and the Temperance Temple Her last project Meant to provide funds for the WCTUNever fully developed Considered a failure Matilda died shortly after in 1917

Alice Austen

Alice AustenAusten was born in

1866 in Staten Island, NY

She began taking photographs at age 10

Alice Austen: The Victorian Age The Victorian Age

lasted from the year 1837 to 1901

Leisure activities became very popular including bicycling, tennis, and traveling

Photos by Alice Austen of friends cycling, practicing gymnastics and goofing around

Alice Austen: The Victorian Age

Women were expected to marry early and create happy, comfortable homes for their families

However, Austen never married, but instead formed strong bonds with other women, a practice that received much negative attention during the time period

“Julia Martin, Julia Bredt and Self Dressed Up as Men” 1891

“Darned Club” 1891

A Victorian Age PhotographerAside from capturing upper-middle class life, Austen also photographed those at the bottom of society

The Victorian Era saw a large influx of immigrants into the country especially into large cities such as New York where Austen lived

Below: “Hester Street, Egg Stand Group” 1895

A perfect example of lower class life in New York City

Life for most 19th century immigrants in New York was all about work, including young children, like the ones below

Alice Austen: A woman Before her time

-One of the first female photographers in a male dominated sphere

-Did not marry or have children

-Spent her life with a female companion

-Photographed the world as she saw it, both the good and the bad

Ani DiFranco (1970- )

“I think it’s really important for people to tell their story, so I want to be as frank as possible… It’s especially important for women, because the dominant history is male.”

–Ani Difranco

Born in Buffalo, New York on September 23, 1970 as Angela

Maria DiFranco.

Age 9- She began to learn and play guitar.

Age 11- Parents divorced

Age 15- Declared herself an emancipated minor.

Graduates high school in three years leading her to pursue a

career in music.

Age 19- Starts her own record label: Righteous Babe Records

Significance She is a business

woman, musician and political activist.

Independent Folk artist [18 albums and numerous Grammy nominations]

Has won a Grammy, a Woman of Courage, and numerous awards for her outstanding work

Challenging traditional role of women

Propaganda via Righteous Babe Records

Her popularity is mostly explained because she is outspoken about her business and ideals...

Most of her songs deal with politics, racism, sexism, sexual abuse, homophobia, reproductive rights, poverty, and war.

Challenging the Status QuoIn the early 1990s, created

Righteous Babe Records and began to release music

As the music turned larger many began to follow in her footsteps. [like Madonna]

Many in the music industry began to be like-minded and started their own business and revel in the complete artistic freedom.

She began something and others have followed.

March for Women's Lives April 25, 2004- Washington, D.C

Ani singing and playing guitar for the audience “My body is all that I own”

On her own…Folk music: writes,

plays and produces her music

Contributes to the feminist movement just like many influential women do

Works for what she believes is right and gets recognized for her individual hard work

Understands the meaning of DIY and informs others of it.

Ani in the end...Independent folk artist

who speaks out about politics, feminism and other touchy subjects to get the word out.

Does what she does because it makes her happy

“I was able to quit my day job and devote myself to what I love.”

Born in Los Angeles on June 1, 1926

Spent most of her childhood in and out of orphanages before getting married at age 16

Changing to fit inIn 1945 Marilyn started

her modeling career, and began bleaching her hair blonde due to the agency wanting a model with lighter hair.

As a model she took whatever jobs her modeling agency offered to her was on the cover of many magazines including Playboy in 1953.

Changing her nameIn 1947 it was

suggested by a head of a movie studio that Monroe should change her name from her original name Norma Jean Baker to Marilyn Monroe.

FilmsIn films such as

Don’t Bother to Knock, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and How to Marry A Millionaire Monroe became known for playing the ditzy dumb blonde characters.

MarriageDuring the 1950’s women were supposed to

get married and start a family.Marilyn Monroe was married three times:

James Dougherty, 1942-1946Joe DiMaggio, 1954Arthur Miller, 1956-1961

Marilyn and Joe DiMaggio

DeathDespite all of the glamour

that Marilyn was surrounded by, she had become dependant on anti- depressants.

Marilyn Monroe died on August 5, 1962 of an overdose which was also considered to be a probable suicide in her home in Los Angeles.

Going with the status quoMarilyn Monroe

went along with what others wanted her to be and was never completely happy.

While she was a famous actress, she was mostly known for being a sex symbol.

While some women have gone along with what others have wanted them to be many have chosen to go against it and still be as successful and in some cases happier than those who followed the traditional role of women.