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Abstract: During the interwar period, from 1918 to 1939, the roles of women experienced change as the traditional gender stereotype of male dependency shifted to female independence and power. Much of this shift can be attributed to the women who found refuge in Paris during this time. Of the many women who realized their independence during the 1920s, Americans Gertrude Stein, Josephine Baker, and Zelda Fitzgerald stand out as trailblazers and examples of those women who reimagined the female role. Coming out of World War I, most of the Western world valued conformity, patriotism, and tradition, however, the "Lost Generation" that emerged held its value in creativity, individualism, and expression. The Lost Generation refers to a generational cohort consisting of those who reached early adulthood during World War I. Iconic members of this cohort, including Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and T. S. Eliot are often recognized for their contributions to changing society. Their female counterparts, however, are rarely appreciated for the social changes they imagined and inspired. Ranging from the academic accomplishments of Stein to the influence of Baker on the entertainment industry and Zelda's artistic endeavors, the three women represented female empowerment, showing women in the U.S. and in Europe what they were capable of. A new female identity of independence and ability emerged during the interwar period as a result of the example they set, as women were inspired to pursue academic, career, and artistic goals, with or without the support of a husband.

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Redefining Femininity: American Women in Paris in the 1920s

Abstract: During the interwar period, from 1918 to 1939, the roles of women experienced change as the traditional gender stereotype of male dependency shifted to female independence and power. Much of this shift can be attributed to the women who found refuge in Paris during this time. Of the many women who realized their independence during the 1920s, Americans Gertrude Stein, Josephine Baker, and Zelda Fitzgerald stand out as trailblazers and examples of those women who reimagined the female role. Coming out of World War I, most of the Western world valued conformity, patriotism, and tradition, however, the "Lost Generation" that emerged held its value in creativity, individualism, and expression. The Lost Generation refers to a generational cohort consisting of those who reached early adulthood during World War I. Iconic members of this cohort, including Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and T. S. Eliot are often recognized for their contributions to changing society. Their female counterparts, however, are rarely appreciated for the social changes they imagined and inspired. Ranging from the academic accomplishments of Stein to the influence of Baker on the entertainment industry and Zelda's artistic endeavors, the three women represented female empowerment, showing women in the U.S. and in Europe what they were capable of. A new female identity of independence and ability emerged during the interwar period as a result of the example they set, as women were inspired to pursue academic, career, and artistic goals, with or without the support of a husband.

 

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