2. Own Property Independently
A century ago, women faced significant obstacles in owning property independently, especially after marriage. Under the traditional legal principle of coverture, women’s property rights were typically transferred to their husbands upon marriage, effectively stripping them of financial autonomy. Change began with pivotal reforms such as the Married Women’s Property Acts, first introduced in the United Kingdom in 1870 and subsequently adopted across various U.S. states throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These laws gradually allowed married women to maintain ownership and control of their own assets, marking a crucial step toward economic independence and equality.
