Undoubtedly, you have heard of suffragists Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, who has a coin named in her honor. You probably have not heard of another woman who was a staunch advocate for women's rights, and was a close friend of Stanton and Anthony. Her name was Amelia Bloomer- and yes, "bloomers" are named after her! Known as a promoter of dress reform, Bloomer noticed the health hazards and restrictive nature of clothing that Victorian women were required to wear, and she pushed for women to adopt a more sensible, new style of dress. The cultural changes wrought by Bloomer and her contemporaries paved the way for a new era of freedoms and rights for women, including the right to vote!

Have you ever wondered how Victorian women, with yards and yards of heavy petticoats and skirts, were able to achieve basic life functions? Come and find out!