Final answer:
The Roaring Twenties was a period marked by the emergence of the 'New Woman,' flappers, and significant changes in women's societal roles and rights. The era followed by World War II continued to build on these changes as women sustained their participation in the workforce and professional fields.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Roaring Twenties for Women
The Roaring Twenties was a transformative decade for women. The era saw the birth of the “New Woman,” a term symbolizing the emergence of modern female identities challenging traditional roles. Driven by experiences gained during World War I where women operated factory machinery, made financial decisions, and ran small businesses, there was no turning back to pre-war roles. The fashion and lifestyle changes adopted by flappers were not just about postwar prosperity but were deeply intertwined with the women's rights movement. The Nineteenth Amendment's ratification in 1920, which guaranteed voting rights for women, boosted their political influence significantly.
Despite societal pushback, the 1920s saw an increase in women's workforce participation and their pursuit of higher education and professional careers. Women's magazines and advice books of the time amplified the idea of the "girl of the new age," endorsing this newfound independence and modernity, though the importance of marriage and traditional values persisted in public consciousness. The transition from Victorian discretion to openly discussing sexual freedom and agency marked a fundamental shift in societal attitudes.
This revolution in gender dynamics continued beyond the 1920s, as evidenced by World War II's icon, Rosie the Riveter, who symbolized women's essential roles in factories and shipyards. Post-war, the quest for workplace equality carried on into the 1960s where, despite obstacles, the employment rate and professional engagement of women continued to rise.