Progressive Era

Lesson Plan

The Equal Rights Amendment

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), proposed in 1923, has never been ratified. Activists seeking gender equality have sought its ratification since its first proposal but have encountered resistance along the way.

Lesson Plan

African American Activists

Students will learn about Ida B Wells, Rosa Parks, and Fannie Lou Hammer; all female African American activists who fought for justice and equality.

Primary Source

Suffragists Picketing at the White House

Lesson Plan

The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

With focus on the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire tragedy, this lesson is intended to broaden students’ understanding of the roots of effective female activism and the reactive nature of American labor laws.

Lesson Plan

Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin

Students will explore the life of Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin by critically reading primary and secondary sources to determine her worldview and perspective.

Lesson Plan

The Power of Words and Activism

Students will read the assigned biography and quotes to explore connections between activism and the power of words and ideas.

Primary Source

Letter Regarding the Federal Amendment

Letter Regarding the Federal Amendment from Ellen F. Vanderbilt

Primary Source

Petition from the Women Voters Anti-Suffrage Party of New York

Petition from the Women Voters Anti-Suffrage Party of New York to the United States Congress

Lesson Plan

Inventive Women - Part 1

Students will learn about female inventors and their contributions to American technology.

Primary Source

I Want to Vote but My Wife Won't Let Me

Anti-suffrage postcard

General

National Association of Colored Women

Black women participated in women’s rights movements, but were often excluded from organizations.

General

The Woman Suffrage Movement

This was the most significant achievement of women in the Progressive Era.

Biography

Juliette Gordon Low

Known as the founder of the Girl Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low created the largest and most successful organisation for girls in the world.

Biography

Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt grew up to become one of the most important and beloved First Ladies, authors, reformers, and female leaders of the 20th century.

Biography

Jane Addams

A progressive social reformer and activist, Jane Addams was on the frontline of the settlement house movement and was the first American woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize.

Biography