Women's Stories from History

Women used to have few rights. All the important decisions in their lives were made by men. They could not vote and give their opinion on who should run the country. By the middle of the 19th century, more and more women were starting to ask why not? These are the stories of five trailblazers who achieved amazing things in difficult circumstances: Elizabeth Cady Stanton began campaigning for women's rights when she was refused entry to a convention because she was a woman. Susan B. Anthony cast her vote knowing she'd be arrested. Clementina Black organized a strike at a factory that paid women low wages. Carrie Chapman Catt traveled the world promoting the need for women's suffrage. Emmeline Pankhurst led a march along Downing Street in London, petitioning the vote for women. Many of the rights women have today are thanks to their actions. They helped change society's image of women forever.

In the 1960s, a woman's place was seen as being in the home. She even found it hard to make a big purchase if a man wasn't with her. African-American women faced racism daily and were given low-paid, exhausting jobs. It was time for women to stand up for equal rights and equal pay. These are the stories of four trailblazers who achieved amazing things in difficult circumstances: Betty Freidan protested at the Miss America pageant against judging women on appearance. Ella Baker helped organize Freedom Schools, where black history was taught for the first time. Barbara Castle was one of the few women members of Parliament and fought for equal pay. Mary Quant showed women they could dress for themselves and not men. Many of the rights women have today are down to their actions. They helped change society's image of women forever.

More than 75 million people fought in World War II — nearly all of them men. Who was going to produce the weapons and the food, and do countless other vital jobs? The answer was women. Millions stepped forward to take on work they had rarely done before, such as fighting fires, ploughing fields and cracking codes. These are the stories of four trailblazers who achieved amazing things in difficult circumstances: Anne-Marie Walters became a secret agent in constant danger of being captured, working behind enemy lines in France. A painting of Ruby Loftus operating machinery became an iconic image of women's contribution to the war effort. By the time Nancy Love was in her early twenties, she was one of America's leading woman pilots. When "Red" Harrington and her fellow nurses were captured by the Japanese, they set up a hospital to look after the thousands of other prisoners of war. Many of the rights women have today are down to their actions. They helped change society's image of women forever.

From the mid-18th century, new machines powered by steam and coal began to produce goods on a massive scale. This was known as the Industrial Revolution. Workers were poorly paid and their working conditions were harsh. Life was even harder for working women, who received lower wages and fewer rights than men. Some women, however, would not stand for the poor treatment of themselves or others. These are the stories of four trailblazers who achieved amazing things in difficult circumstances: Known as the "Angel of the Prisons," Elizabeth Fry brought about changes for female and child inmates. Florence Nightingale did the unthinkable for a woman of the time and, instead of getting married, became a nurse and reformed the nursing system. Sarah G. Bagley was a pioneering labor activist who fought against harsh factory conditions. "Mother" Jones earned the title of "most dangerous woman in America" by traveling around the country urging coal miners and mill workers to stand up for their rights. Many of the rights women have today are thanks to their actions. They helped change society's image of women forever.