To put the past century in perspective, imagine for a moment that it is March 21, 1900. William McKinley is President, and the Nation is once again focused on domestic issues after the successful conclusion of the Spanish-American War. It is the beginning of the Progressive Era. Nevertheless, although a women's movement has existed for nearly 30 years, only the women of Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Idaho have been granted full voting rights. The status of women is defined by their role in the family and a lack of broad access to education and work.
American society expects women to be oriented toward marriage and homemaking.
Working women are relatively few, mostly poor, and working in agriculture or menial jobs. At the dawn of the 20th Century, there would be little reason to believe that the next 100 years will be much different for women than the last 100 years. Fifty years later, things have changed, but the impact of change is not yet noticeable. It is March 21, 1950. Harry Truman is President, and while the Nation is at peace, the Cold War has already begun and the Korean War is a scant three months away.