JOURNAL ARTICLE

Fighting for Women's Rights in Illinois.

  • Published In: Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, 2026, v. 119, n. 1. P. 83 1 of 3

  • Database: America: History and Life with Full Text 2 of 3

  • Authored By: McMahon, Eileen M. 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the historical struggle for women's rights in Illinois, tracing key legal and social advances from statehood in 1818 through the 20th century. It highlights Myra Bradwell’s pivotal role in challenging coverture laws and advocating for married women’s property rights, as well as the contributions of reformers like Jane Addams, Florence Kelley, and Frances Willard in expanding women’s civic and labor rights. The article also discusses Illinois’ early partial suffrage laws, its ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, and the contrasting roles of Betty Friedan and Phyllis Schlafly in the late 20th-century women’s rights movement. Several Illinois women, including Bradwell, Addams, Wells, and Friedan, are recognized in the National Women’s Hall of Fame for their impact on gender equality. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. 2026/03, Vol. 119, Issue 1, p83
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Law
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:1522-1067
  • DOI:10.5406/23283335.119.1.22
  • Accession Number:192456758
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society is the property of Illinois State Historical Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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