Assignment Problem:
Pretend you are speaking to a group of Mexican American workers (women and men) who are not sure they want to support women's right to vote. Use material from the documents and videos to support your position as to why women's right to vote is just as important as worker's rights and that they should obtain those rights now, not later. Women have made tremendous contributions to society and yet do not get to vote, explain to them why this is wrong! Explain why skin color, economic status, and education level do not matter, what matters is that women unite and demand equal access to political representation. Why should women not be satisfied with just raising a family, having a job, or being "helpers" through charity and support? Why do they need a real voice through the vote?
(As the 19th century drew to a close, women began to participate more in the rapidly expanding industrial economy. As on the farm, in cities women stepped into jobs where they were paid less than men, particularly in manufacturing, and also into essentially new occupations such as government secretaries and clerks. Most middle-class white women stayed home, and hundreds of thousands contributed to the economy in more traditional ways. Many women who helped organize labor unions and demanded better wages for all workers, were disappointed that their contributions and efforts were not recognized and they were denied the right to vote in national elections.)