What's Happening?
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, suffragists in the United States used bake sales and cookbooks as a strategy to raise funds and awareness for women's voting rights. These events featured recipes
like kiss cakes and ginger cookies, published in suffragist newspapers such as the Woman's Exponent in Salt Lake City. The recipes often lacked precise measurements and cooking instructions, reflecting the cooking methods of the time. Despite the challenges in recreating these recipes today, they played a crucial role in uniting women and promoting the suffrage movement. The cookbooks also served to highlight women's roles in their families and communities, countering stereotypes of suffragists as unladylike.
Why It's Important?
The use of bake sales and cookbooks by suffragists underscores the innovative strategies employed to advance women's rights. These activities not only raised funds but also helped to reshape public perceptions of women activists. By engaging in traditional domestic roles, suffragists were able to challenge societal norms and demonstrate their capability in both the private and public spheres. This approach contributed to the broader movement for gender equality, highlighting the intersection of domesticity and activism. The historical significance of these efforts continues to resonate, offering insights into the diverse tactics used in social justice movements.
