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The Reading from Molière by Jean Francois De Troy, c. 1728
This print of a French salon during the Enlightenment period of the eighteenth century depicts a group of aristocrats, primarily women, reading works by Molière, a French playwright. Salons were important in representing women's roles during the Enlightenment, as it was where they met and discussed ideas with prominent thinkers of the time, and were able to exert their influence. However, only women of aristocratic influence were able to do this. -
The Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen by Olympe de Gouges, 14 September 1791.
This declaration was written by de Gouges two years after the start of the French Revolution in response to France’s National Constituent Assembly’s Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in 1789. This was a written demand for the political rights of women, demonstrating that many women contributed to the Revolution and also fought for themselves, since women’s rights were not defended by most revolutionaries fighting for other rights. De Gouges would be hanged for this in 1793. -
Prospects of Marriage for Women by Clara Collett, April 1892
This document was written during the Industrial Revolution by Clara Collett, a British economist. It is a survey document of the field of women’s work. It shows the variety of occupations women held during the Industrial Revolution, and the differences between classes. It also shows that most women employed were single, and believed they would only work until they married. Collett argues women should be trained as men are and have the same occupations for better work environments. -
WWII: Polish Military Women, 16 September 1939.
This photo shows Polish women in military uniform defending Warsaw, after it was invaded by German troops on September 16, 1939, fifteen days after the start of World War II. This represents the important contributions made by women during the 20th century, particularly fighting alongside men in the army, defending their countries.