Presenter Information
Maria Miller
Abstract
The Columbian Exposition of 1893, also known as the Chicago World’s Fair, was a clear example of the women’s rights movement in nineteenth century America. It exemplified the inclusion of women in male-dominated fields by establishing a Board of Lady Managers. This group of women held executive authorities over the establishment of a Woman’s Building. The Woman’s Building was a space dedicated to displaying the achievements of women throughout the world. This Building also gave female visitors hope for a future of expanded rights. Despite this, the Woman’s Building isolated women’s work into a distinct section within the Exposition. The Board of Lady Managers refused to allow women of diversity to be exhibited in the Women’s Building, further separating women. Although many women’s rights groups were established during this time, minimal progress was made because of racial, class, gender, and ideological divides in America. The 1893 Chicago’s World’s Fair was a step in the right direction in terms of women’s progress, but it lacked complete gender equality.
School
McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts; School of Education
Advisor
Dr. Jotham Parsons
Submission Type
Paper
Publication Date
2017-04-05
Women in the Late Nineteenth Century: Involvement in the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair
The Columbian Exposition of 1893, also known as the Chicago World’s Fair, was a clear example of the women’s rights movement in nineteenth century America. It exemplified the inclusion of women in male-dominated fields by establishing a Board of Lady Managers. This group of women held executive authorities over the establishment of a Woman’s Building. The Woman’s Building was a space dedicated to displaying the achievements of women throughout the world. This Building also gave female visitors hope for a future of expanded rights. Despite this, the Woman’s Building isolated women’s work into a distinct section within the Exposition. The Board of Lady Managers refused to allow women of diversity to be exhibited in the Women’s Building, further separating women. Although many women’s rights groups were established during this time, minimal progress was made because of racial, class, gender, and ideological divides in America. The 1893 Chicago’s World’s Fair was a step in the right direction in terms of women’s progress, but it lacked complete gender equality.