From the mid-18th century, new machines powered by steam and coal began
to produce goods on a massive scale. This was known as the Industrial
Revolution. Workers were poorly paid and their working conditions were
harsh. Life was even harder for working women, who received lower wages
and fewer rights than men. Some women, however, would not stand for the
poor treatment of themselves or others. These are the stories of four
trailblazers who achieved amazing things in difficult circumstances:
Known as the "Angel of the Prisons," Elizabeth Fry brought about changes
for female and child inmates. Florence Nightingale did the unthinkable
for a woman of the time and, instead of getting married, became a nurse
and reformed the nursing system. Sarah G. Bagley was a pioneering labor
activist who fought against harsh factory conditions. "Mother" Jones
earned the title of "most dangerous woman in America" by traveling
around the country urging coal miners and mill workers to stand up for
their rights. Many of the rights women have today are thanks to their
actions. They helped change society's image of women forever.