In the 1920s, Exaggerated Cupid’s Bows became a popular beauty trend. A transformation in women’s lives occurred during this era with the introduction of new rights and job opportunities. The ratification of the 19th Amendment in August 1920 allowed some women to cast their votes in the November election. These societal shifts were mirrored in fashion, as styles embraced shorter, looser skirts and dresses. Women experienced significant changes during the 1920s, showcasing their capabilities during World War I and solidifying their newfound societal roles through voting rights. Fashion also evolved, moving away from restrictive corsets to more relaxed attire. Despite these advancements, racial prejudices persisted, affecting Black, Asian, Latina, and Indigenous women. Economic prosperity was witnessed by a few elite families before the Great Depression struck, leading to disparities in wealth distribution. The Roaring Twenties captured a contrast between glamour and the harsh realities faced by different groups. On the occasion of Women’s History Month, here are 55 photos providing insight into the lives of women during the 1920s, a period marked by significant societal shifts and struggles for equality.
According to The Independent, the United Kingdom had a different approach to granting women the right to vote compared to the United States. In the UK, women achieved suffrage in two stages: first in 1918, when married women over the age of 30 who were local government registrants were allowed to vote, and then in 1928 when women over the age of 21 gained equal voting rights to men. Women both supported and opposed Prohibition a century ago, with the Women’s Christian Temperance Union advocating for the ban while others, including female bootleggers, profited from smuggling alcohol. Women found creative ways to hide liquor, such as using Prohibition-era books or concealing bottles in their clothing. Despite facing challenges, women played significant roles in society, with some becoming police officers, switchboard operators, and working in manufacturing jobs during World War I. Women took on various roles in the 1920s, from operating heavy machinery in factories to working on farms without electricity in the Midwest.
According to PBS, families in the Midwest focused on growing fruits and vegetables and producing eggs and meat despite hardships in plumbing, heating, and cooling services. In 1925, a young woman operated a plow, reflecting the challenges faced by farmers during the 1920s due to overproduction and plummeting prices. The Library of Congress reported that a quarter of farms were sold between 1920 and 1932 to meet financial obligations.
In the South during the 1920s, many Black women picked cotton to make ends meet, with two out of three from Black landowning families involved in cotton farming. Despite the abolition of slavery in 1865, Black women still encountered limited opportunities compared to white women, facing discrimination at work. Segregation persisted into the 1960s, restricting Black women from various job opportunities.
Other working women in the 1920s included the Black Cross Nurses, established by Henrietta Vinton Davis in 1920 to provide health services and hygiene education to Black community members. Black women also experienced racist acts of violence, such as during the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921, where the affluent Black community of Greenwood District in Tulsa was largely destroyed in a violent incident of racial discrimination.
The Tulsa Historical Society and Museum documented that during the attacks, approximately 35 city blocks were destroyed, resulting in the potential loss of up to 300 lives and leaving over 800 individuals injured. In Japan, women were also employed in factories, protesting against unfair working conditions. These Japanese women took a stand against the inadequate wages offered to female factory workers. In the years 1918 and 1919, protests surged at textile mills in Japan as women demanded shorter work hours and higher pay. They were earning significantly less than their male counterparts despite the vital role they played in producing war uniforms during a time of high demand.
The role of women in the workforce expanded, with some women pursuing careers as professional chefs. While cooking was traditionally associated with home duties, the 1920s saw an increase in women studying to become chefs. Additionally, advancements in technology, such as the introduction of dishwashers, eased the lives of homemakers. Although dishwashers were invented in the late 19th century, they only gained popularity in households during the 1920s, made possible by the introduction of permanent plumbing in homes.
The 1920s marked a significant shift for women as driving allowed them newfound freedom and mobility. Women like Alice Ramsey, who became the first woman to drive across the continental United States in 1909, showcased that women were capable drivers. Women also found enjoyment and leisure in activities such as dancing and socializing. Popular dances like the Charleston and the shimmy were widely embraced, offering women the opportunity to express themselves freely on the dance floor.
Renowned figures like Josephine Baker emerged during this period, captivating audiences with her singing and African-inspired dance performances. Baker’s influence extended beyond entertainment as she played a crucial role in the French Resistance during World War II and advocated for civil rights in the United States. Despite her passing in 1975, she was posthumously honored in 2021 as the first Black woman to be interred in France’s prestigious Panthéon.
During the silent film era, Mary Pickford was a highly popular movie star, best known for her work in films like “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,” “Stella Maris,” “My Best Girl,” and “Sparrows.” She was described by the Oscars as the epitome of a “movie star” and was a founding member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In 1930, she received the second Oscar ever awarded for best actress. Clara Bow, known as “The It Girl,” was another prominent actress of the 1920s, starring in the first best picture winner, “Wings.” She was recognized for her popularity throughout the decade and was even mentioned in Taylor Swift’s 2024 album with a song titled “Clara Bow.”
In women’s sports, tennis became a popular activity, with Wimbledon opening its courts to women in 1884. Helen Wills competed against Kitty McKane in the 1924 Ladies’ Singles Final, showcasing the different sporting outfits of the time. French tennis champion Suzanne Lenglen was known for her unique and provocative style on and off the court, breaking away from traditional athletic attire.
Swimsuits in the 1920s were made of wool, as modern materials like nylon and elastane had not yet been developed. Tanning became fashionable in this era, possibly sparked by a photo of Coco Chanel with a sun-kissed glow after a cruise. Women’s exercise routines often involved group activities, with stretching being favored for women’s health. New exercise equipment like stationary bikes and rowing machines emerged in the 1920s, along with exercise fads like the mechanical bull, initially created for rodeo training but later becoming a popular workout tool.
To help tone their abs and strengthen their core, people used simple rowing machines for workouts. In the 1920s, movie star Helen Chadwick was seen using a rowing machine to stay fit. Baseball was a popular sport for both men and women, as shown by Barnard College’s baseball team practicing in 1925. The sport attracted attention in New York, with stars like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig drawing interest from both genders. Women began making their mark in baseball, with 60 playing in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during World War II.
American women first competed in swimming at the Olympics in 1920. Pioneers like Aileen Riggin, Gertrude Ederle, and Helen Wainwright represented the US in this sport. Women’s swimming was recognized as the first aerobic sport by the International Olympic Committee, introduced at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm. Ethelda Bleibtrey made history by winning three gold medals in swimming at the 1920 Olympics.
The Harlem Renaissance was a significant period for Black literature, art, and music. Poet and critic Jessie R. Fauset played a key role during this time. Graduating from Cornell University in classical languages, she transitioned to writing in 1912 and later introduced legendary writers like Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, and Anne Spencer. Fauset also published her own novels during the 1920s.
Jazz music gained popularity in the 1920s, with women like Lil Hardin Armstrong influencing the genre. Lil Hardin, Louis Armstrong’s wife, played piano and was instrumental in his career. “Empress of the Blues” Bessie Smith was another influential figure in blues and jazz music during the Harlem Renaissance, becoming the highest-paid Black entertainer of the time.
The music industry captured audiences’ attention when Smith signed a record deal with Columbia Records in 1923, releasing the major hit “Down-hearted Blues.” Smith quickly rose to become the highest-paid Black entertainer of her time, collaborating with iconic jazz musicians such as Sidney Bechet and Louis Armstrong. Unfortunately, the Great Depression shortened Smith’s career, and she later passed away from injuries sustained in a car accident in 1937.
Women’s beauty standards were reflected in popular fashion of the 1920s, characterized by loose fabrics, fringe, and glamorous jewelry. The signature bob haircut was in vogue, along with large-brimmed hats and long pearl necklaces, as seen in images from the era. The fashion of the time featured long, straight skirts with low waists, offering a more comfortable and movable alternative to the previous decades’ constricting clothing.
The 1920s also showcased flappers and showgirls as icons of female beauty. Art Deco style and Gatsby-esque outfits were popular choices, with velvet and satin dresses adorned with pearls and gems. Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of author F. Scott Fitzgerald, epitomized the flapper style and was a major influence on her husband’s work. Despite her talents, Zelda’s life was cut short by mental health struggles, leading to her tragic death at age 47.
Fur coats, form-fitting hats, and Halloween costumes were additional highlights of 1920s fashion. Halloween costumes emphasized fear over celebrity mimicry, with clowns, ghosts, and witches being popular choices. Elizabeth Arden played a significant role in setting beauty standards of the time, making makeup more accessible to the masses through her marketing campaigns. The trend of dark-red lips with an exaggerated cupid’s bow became a defining beauty statement of the era.
Nail polish gained popularity in the 1920s, with A’Leila Walker, daughter of Madame C.J. Walker, getting her nails done at her mother’s beauty shop. Brands like Cutex and later Revlon played a key role in the rise of nail polish during that era. Wedding dresses in the 1920s were influenced by the modern, shorter flapper style, with brides and grooms often opting for Christmas Day ceremonies at churches like St. George Church in London. Immigrant women, such as Japanese “picture brides,” faced challenges upon arriving in the US, with the 1924 Immigration Act bringing an end to the practice. The 1920s also saw restrictive immigration policies favoring migrants from northern Europe. Indigenous women in the US, like those from the Osage Nation, were subjected to racist violence and discriminatory laws during this period.
During the early 1920s, the Osage Nation documented that Hale and his group were suspected of involvement in over 20 homicides, amidst a total of 60 murders between 1920 and 1925. These crimes were driven by Hale’s quest to acquire the wealth held by the Osage community resulting from the oil boom. This dark chapter inspired Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed movie “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Source: Business Insider.
