Lisa O
A little over a century ago, the daily lives of women looked completely different from what they do today. Many freedoms and rights we now take for granted were once out of reach, denied simply because of gender. From voting to owning property to wearing pants in public, women had to push, protest, and persist to earn basic freedoms. Here are 15 things women couldn’t do 100+ years ago that might surprise you.
Vote in Most Countries
Before the 1920s, the idea of women voting in elections was seen as radical in much of the world. In the U.S., it wasn’t until 1920 that women gained the right to vote nationwide, and even then, many women of color were still excluded. Across Europe and elsewhere, the fight for suffrage stretched for decades, and some nations didn’t grant full voting rights to women until the late 20th century.
Own Property After Marriage
In many places, once a woman married, her property automatically became her husband’s. This legal concept, called “coverture,” meant she had no separate financial identity. She couldn’t buy, sell, or inherit without male approval. A woman’s wages, land, or belongings were absorbed into her husband’s control, leaving her with little legal independence.
Serve on a Jury
Serving on a jury was once considered too serious, or even too dangerous, for women. The belief was that women were too emotional or delicate for courtroom decisions. In many U.S. states, women were excluded from jury duty well into the 20th century, meaning entire trials were decided without female perspectives, even in cases involving women’s rights or experiences.
Wear Pants in Public Without Consequence
Wearing pants used to be a rebellious act for women. Women who wore trousers risked arrest or ridicule in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some cities had laws against cross-dressing that were used to punish women for wearing “men’s” clothing. For pants to become widely accepted, it took decades of slow change, helped by World Wars and women entering the workforce.
Get a Credit Card Without a Man
Until the 1970s in the U.S., women were often denied credit unless a husband or male relative co-signed. Banks could legally reject her even if she worked full-time and had savings. A married woman’s financial identity was tied to her husband, and single women were seen as high-risk. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act wasn’t passed until 1974, making it illegal to deny credit based on gender.
Go to College Freely
Higher education was often off-limits or highly restricted for women. Many colleges didn’t accept women at all, and those that did usually limited what they could study. Subjects like law, medicine, and engineering were considered inappropriate. Women were expected to learn just enough to be good wives or teachers, not to pursue careers or intellectual goals of their own.
Work in Most Professions
Over a hundred years ago, women were largely kept out of high-paying or respected jobs. Being a doctor, lawyer, scientist, or engineer was considered unsuitable for them. Women who did work were often funneled into domestic service, textile factories, or teaching young children. Career ambition was frowned upon, and the idea of a woman as a boss or leader was nearly unthinkable.
Keep Their Maiden Name After Marriage
Taking a husband’s last name was once not just a tradition—it was legally and socially expected. Women had little choice if they wanted to be seen as respectable. In many places, using your maiden name on official documents or legal records after marriage was nearly impossible. Keeping your own name was seen as rebellious and even scandalous well into the 20th century.
Divorce Without a Fight
Getting a divorce 100+ years ago was a rare and often humiliating process, especially for women. In many places, women had to prove serious wrongdoing, like abuse or abandonment, and even then, courts were hesitant to grant it. Divorced women were often shunned socially and financially ruined, with little support from the law or community. Staying in a bad marriage was usually the only real option.
Access to Reliable Birth Control
Women had very few options when it came to controlling their fertility. Contraceptives were banned or heavily restricted in many countries, and talking openly about birth control could get you fined or jailed. It wasn’t just a health issue—it was a freedom issue. Without control over whether and when to have children, women had limited power over their futures, health, and opportunities.
Compete in Most Sports
Organized sports were mostly for men, and women were often discouraged or outright banned from playing. Many believed physical activity was dangerous for women’s health or too “unladylike.” Even in the Olympics, women’s participation was severely limited until the mid-20th century. Those who did compete were often mocked and had to fight just to be taken seriously as athletes.
Serve in the Military or Police
Over a century ago, women were mostly banned from serving in the military or police forces. A few could volunteer as nurses or clerks, but they couldn’t hold rank, carry weapons, or receive full recognition. Even during wartime, their roles were seen as supportive rather than equal. It wasn’t until the late 20th century that military and law enforcement careers became more accessible to women.
Travel Alone Without Judgment
Solo female travel was rare and often met with suspicion. A woman seen alone on a train or checking into a hotel without a man might be questioned or, worse, assumed to be of low character. Travel required a chaperone or permission from a male relative in many cases. Women who wanted to see the world had to defy social norms and safety concerns.
Run for Political Office
A century ago, women could not vote in many places and couldn’t run for office. Politics was seen as a man’s world, and any woman daring to enter was labeled improper or unfeminine. Slowly, a few women broke barriers, but it took generations for female leadership to be normalized. Today’s women in power owe much to those early pioneers who ran anyway.
Speak Freely About Feminism
Talking about gender equality was once dangerous. Women who pushed for rights were often labeled as troublemakers, radicals, or worse. They risked losing their reputations, jobs, or even custody of their children. Publicly supporting feminism came with very serious consequences, but brave women pushed forward anyway, laying the groundwork for the freedoms we enjoy today.