Final answer:
The text 'Meet the New Woman' presents the 1920s as a transformative period for women's roles in society, marking a departure from Victorian values towards a modern concept of femininity that included social independence and political empowerment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main idea of the text 'Meet the New Woman' is about the transformation of women's roles and identities in society during the 1920s. It illustrates how women during this era broke away from traditional Victorian values, embracing new freedoms in terms of fashion, social behaviors, and political rights. The concept of the New Woman challenged societal norms, contributing to the women's rights movement and reflecting a shift towards modernity in the post-World War I era.
The 'New Woman' of the 1920s redefined femininity by adopting new forms of social expression such as the flapper lifestyle, represented in media and advertising globally. These women donned shorter hairstyles and skirts, removed corsets, partook in social activities traditionally reserved for men, and actively participated in political discourse following the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment.
The text references significant cultural and feminist milestones, including the influence of Betty Friedan's 'The Feminine Mystique' and the formation of the National Organization for Women (NOW), connecting the 1920s New Woman to the broader struggle for gender equality and women's liberation.