New Tactics
Times are Changing
By the 1890s, times were changing. Politics was no longer just for the politicians, it was a way for ordinary people to change society. The Progressive Era had begun. Many of the issues of the Progressive Era directly affected women's role in society, such as better food safety laws, mental health reform, and child labor regulations.
This Era also saw the growth of women's clubs throughout Illinois. Although these clubs often started as literary or arts societies, they were a way for women to discuss the new ideas sweeping the country. It became clear, in order to make real change, women needed to vote.