Final answer:
The most effective strategies in the women's rights movement included securing the right to vote through different tactics, such as state-by-state approaches or national suffrage, and raising awareness through protests and intellectual arguments. The movement was also influenced by women's involvement in labor unions and other political movements, where they faced oppression and advocated for change.
Step-by-step explanation:
In assessing the strategies of the women's rights movement, certain approaches stand out as particularly effective. One of the most powerful strategies was securing the right to vote, or suffrage. This focus unified women and provided a clear, measurable goal. Organizations differed in tactics, with some advocating for state-by-state strategies while others like the Congressional Union sought national suffrage.
Protests, such as those at the White House, and involvement in labor unions were other pivotal strategies. For example, Betty Friedan exposed wage disparities through articles highlighting pay rates at companies like General Electric and Westinghouse, which raised public awareness and shifted public opinion.
Ultimately, a combination of grassroots activism, public demonstrations, and intellectual argumentation helped to advance the women's rights movement. However, it's important to note that oppression within other movements—such as civil rights and antiwar protests—spurred women like Shulamith Firestone to push for change not just in society at large but within activist movements themselves.