Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Practice Test

Which statement describes a goal of both the nineteenth and twentieth century women’s movements?

1. Achieving a balance between familial duties and career

2. Securing political representation through the vote

3. The establishment of national organizations for women’s rights

4. Focusing solely on economic issues

The correct answer is: Securing political representation through the vote

Securing political representation through the vote is a fundamental goal that unites the women’s movements of both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In the nineteenth century, the movement was characterized by a strong push for women's suffrage, highlighting the necessity of women's participation in the political process as essential for achieving equality and influencing laws that affected their lives. This gained momentum in the early twentieth century when suffragists worked tirelessly to secure voting rights at both state and federal levels. While other options present important aspects of women's movements, they do not encapsulate a core shared goal as effectively as political representation. Achieving a balance between familial duties and career reflects the evolving challenges women faced, but it is more of a modern concern than a primary goal of the earlier movements. The establishment of national organizations for women’s rights was significant, as these organizations facilitated activism, but they were primarily vehicles for achieving the broader goal of suffrage. Focusing solely on economic issues addresses a critical aspect of women's experiences; however, it does not encompass the comprehensive goal of political engagement that characterized both movements. Thus, securing political representation through the vote stands out as a pivotal and enduring aim of women's activism across both centuries.