By 1900 women had made the first steps to having equality with men. New opportunities were being made in the world of work for middle-class and working-class girls. Between 1875 and 1907 around half a million new jobs were created in department stores. The rapid expansion of the postal service also created more counter jobs in a network of local post offices. In both of these situations, hours were long, sometimes 80 - 90 hours per week, and pay was poor. But shop work offered some free time and independence for younger girls. It was far preferable to domestic service.

One occupation which was almost exclusively a woman's job by 1900 was nursing. By this time there were 60,000 trained nurses. But, as in other areas, they had to resign once they were married.

For better educated women, the horizons broadened even further. As technology improved and businesses grew, the opportunities for women who were...