America is the land of opportunity. It is a place of rebirth, hope and freedom. But it hasn't always been this way for women. Many times throughout history women have been oppressed, belittled, and deprived of the opportunity to learn and work in their desired profession. Instead, their lives were confined to home and family. While this was a noble role, many women felt they were limited and therefore desired greater independence. In America, women began breaking the mold in 1848 and continued to push for social, political, educational, and professional freedom. By the 1920s, women had experienced significant "liberation," as they could vote, hold public office, obtain higher education, obtain new jobs, dramatically change their appearance, and participate in entertainment and sports. However, some argue that women were still repressed by the advertising industry and stereotypes. But despite these setbacks, women achieved a new way of life that affected the entire nation. A common misconception is that no women could vote before the 19th Amendment. In fact, women in most Western states had been granted full suffrage as early as 1869, starting with Wyoming. Why was women's right to vote recognized for the first time in the West? Being a wild frontier, the West expanded the roles of women as they struggled to survive in a hostile environment. The socialite who attended parties, followed her husband, and kept a beautiful home was no more. In her place was a tough, seasoned woman who, by necessity, had to help manage the ranches, plant the crops, manage the farm, and supervise the livestock, in addition to fulfilling her usual roles as mother and homemaker. In this sense women worked harder than men… middle of paper… the western frontier.” http://denise-moore.suite101.com/women-and-the-western-frontier-a184356 (accessed 28 March 2012) Britannica – Academic Edition. “Women's suffrage”. http://www.britannica.com.byui.idm.oclc.org/EBchecked/topic/646779/woman-suffrage (accessed March 28, 2012)NC Pedia. “Women in the 1920s: A New Woman Emerges.” http://ncpedia.org/history/20th-Century/1920s-women (accessed March 27, 2012)Rutgers - Center for American Women and Politics. “Firsts for Women in U.S. Politics.” http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/fast_facts/resources/First.php (accessed March 29, 2012) Wikipedia. “The 1920s in fashion”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1920s_in_fashion (accessed March 29, 2012) Wikipedia. "Women's Suffrage in the United States." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27_suffrage_in_the_United_States (accessed March 27, 2012)