Even though Women did not get the right to vote until 1920. The progressive era started in the 1890's. It was mostly started by middle class to wealthy woman who sought to help the lower class woman. The helped improve working conditions for these woman by teaching them how to do collective bargaining with their employers. They also fought for the child labor laws. By helping the underclass and new immigrants the "suffragettes" showed the political and business men that were Women were not second class citizens and could be just as useful outside the home as in the home. This was a very powerful movement, which started small and gain women the right to vote.