Women and the Birth of Sociology

When it is said that women have been “written out” of sociology’s history it is not to say that women have been non­­‑existent from the history but rather that somewhere along the way their existence was ignored. Early women sociologists were recognized as an integral part of their community and most of the prominent female figures were part of sociological associations and were even published.  Sadly these women were victims of their time.  Although these women gave so much to their community, because men dominated the world and their field at the time, the majority of the credit is given to their male counterparts.

Most of the early women of sociology were conflict theorist’s and concentrated on civil rights and gender issues.  A majority of the women that have been “written out” were members of the American Sociological Association and worked hand and hand with the men that have been credited with having written sociological history.

It is important that today we recognize the women of sociology.  Women like Jane Addams, Sophonisba Breckinridge, Marianne Webber, and Edith and Grace Abbott.  These women worked tirelessly on the very inequalities that have kept them “written out” of sociologies history.  To continue to write them out would be like saying that they never have existed and that their work was not important.

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