Retro-postcards showing society's fear of women's empowerment
These incredible vintage postcards from the early 1900s were used by men as propaganda to prevent women from gaining more civil rights. Although the suffragettes tirelessly fought for women's rights to change the hopeless situation, many men believed that having civil rights for women was not just unacceptable, but also dangerous.
Because of this, such postcards appeared, as in this collection. They are archived by Catherine Palczewski, a professor of gender studies at the University of Northern Iowa, who has been collecting them for 15 years. The postcards portrayed the idea of change as something terrible to be afraid of, not to strive for. They presented women's rights as a threat to family values and an attempt on a man's status in society. Although we are still far from equality between men and women, these postcards serve as a good reminder of how far humanity has advanced in this matter over the XX century.
(20 photos in total)
"The origin and development of the suffragette: at 15 years old — a little darling, at 20 years old — a little flirt, at 40 — not married yet! At 50— a suffragette."
"Who said 'divorce'?"
"Peace at last."
"Election day!"
"A masculine woman. Everything is masculine in it: shoes, hat, raincoat, collars, stiff shirt and tie. She would like to wear trousers on the street to feel full, but she knows that the law will not tolerate this."
"Don't worry, the worst is ahead."
"My wife joined the suffragette movement. (I've been suffering ever since!)"
"Life is a complete disappointment. What is a house without a suffragette".
"A woman's place is at her home."
"This is not a man's job."
"What I would do with the suffragettes."
"Everyone works, except the mother: she is a suffragette. I want to vote, but my wife won't let me."
"Mom has a habit now."
"I didn't do anything, but I won't do it anymore."
"Suffragettes attack a policeman."
"Voices for women."
"Puzzle — find the head of the family."
"No one loves me, I'll probably become a suffragette."
"The Suffragettes that no one has ever kissed."
Keywords: XX century | Struggle | Women | Cartoons | Postcards | Rights