As Ireland embarked on its struggle for independence, and later, throughout the difficult birth and early years of the Irish state, another struggle for rights was ongoing – those of Irish women. Women had few rights in 1900: no vote, limited access to education and limited employment opportunities. Over the next 100 years, this would change dramatically, largely due to actions taken by women themselves.
The changing lives of women Type of source
Category Primary Written
WORKING WITH THE EVIDENCE! —————————————
—————————— Example
Using the census records, we are able to track the progress of women in areas like level of employment and education
Political records of changes in the laws that affected women and news reports on the social movements and campaigns for greater equality
Primary Aural/oral
Interviews with women who lived through this time of change, many of whom are still alive today
Ask one of your female relatives (mother, aunt or grandmother, for instance) what changes in their lifetimes they think have been the most important for women.
Newspaper article on campaign for reproductive rights
