Exploring American Histories: Printed Page 507

Document 16.2

The Delineator, 1900

By 1900 The Delineator had become one of America’s foremost women’s magazines. On the surface, it appeared to cater to traditional gender norms, each month featuring stories on fashion, sewing, leisure, and home design. But the editors of The Delineator also called for women’s rights and broader social reform. In 1907, for example, editor Theodore Dreiser organized a successful outreach program to find homes for abandoned and orphaned children.

Explore

image
© Sarah Fabian-Baddiel/Heritage-Images/The Image Works

Interpret the Evidence

  • Question

    What does this woman’s clothing and activity suggest about her background?

  • Question

    Who do you think was the target audience for this magazine?

Put It in Context

Question

What social and political trends during the late nineteenth century might account for the popularity of magazines like The Delineator?