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Women of the Nineteenth Century During the early nineteenth century, women were subjected to stereotypes that limited what their gender was thought to be capable of. No woman was able to escape the inferior label. The level of so-called inferiority differed between races. African American and Native American women surprisingly held much importance and responsibility in caring for the family and the community, whether it was a plantation or tribe. From hard labor to excelling at certain jobs that increased respect amongst their peers, these two races of women often handled much more of the workload. They also held a higher status when compared to men within their own race than did Anglo American women. Prior to the nineteenth century, Anglo women were perceived as submissive homemakers who married for social status or to protect what the family already owned. They were responsible for far less than African and native women of the time were. The social reform movement and women’s rights movement changed women’s roles differently between races. The movements provided Anglo American women with opportunities and new thought processes that raised the expectation of themselves as members of society while hindering the previo