Not Just a Housewife: The Changing Roles of Women in the West

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tradition held that women were expected to fill two roles, that of housewife and mother. This exhibit explores how some women were determined to step out of that tradition. As women traveled West, many were resolute not to follow the path expected of them, while others were forced to look for non-traditional lives. Some joined the rush for gold, some entered politics, some looked to the arts, while others ventured into the realm of gambling and prostitution. These women were praised by some and scorned by others. Without their courage, women of today could have faced an uncertain future.