The economic evolution of American women from the colonial era to 1984 is examined. The labor-scarce environment of the colonial era gave women access to any occupation they wished, e.g., field work, household manufacturing. With the Industrial Revolution, 1820-1865, the role of women changed. Industrialists hired women because they would work for low wages. Late in this period the "cult of true womanhood," i.e., women belong in the home raising children, appeared. In the period from 1865 to 1920 work opportunities for women changed and widened. Women entered the professions of nursing and teaching. The proportion of women employed increased from 14.7 to 24.9 percent; a women's union movement was founded. In 1920 women won the right to vote. From 1920 to 1984 more women entered the work force but at a slower rate. Although women had access to skilled, higher-paying industrial jobs, they were discriminated against. The women's liberation movement of the 1960's demanded employment equalities as a condition for equality of the sexes. The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was approved by Congress, but was not ratified by the required 38 states. ERA supporters, however, have not conceded defeat. (RM)