Those Whom the Progressives Forgot

Progressive reformers believed it was their goal to fix the wrongs found within society. Their vision for reform turned out to be very limited.

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According to written records held with this photograph, "These Indian young people, Joseph, Andy, and Lizzie, were refused entrance to a local public school as children. Later, after attending school elsewhere, they returned and sang in a public service, arousing much surprise at their rapid development and shame and confusion because of former prejudice and denial.". ca. 1910. Photographer unknown. Gelatin silver print. Collection of Oakland Museum of California. Gift of Robert Reeves. More info »

Native American Boarding Schools

Natives Americans were being "fixed" by learning English and converting to Christianity.

Cover of San Francisco's anti-Chinese Wasp magazine that advocated the end of Chinese Immigration to the United States. May 7, 1881. Illustrator unknown. Newspaper. Collection of Oakland Museum of California. More info »

Chinese Immigration

The Chinese immigrants were only needed to build the railroad.

A group of men employed as ship builders during WWII in Richmond, California. ca. 1917. Photographer unknown. Gelatin silver print. Collection of Oakland Museum of California. Gift of Al Bass. More info »

African American Migration

African American left sharecropping in the South and were given dangerous industrial jobs in the West.

“Planks to be presented by the National League of Women Voters” with eight women surround the board listing the planks. 1912-1915. Unknown photographer. Gelatin silver print. Collection of Oakland Museum of California. More info »

Suffrage

All men and women are created equal.

Portrait of Mrs. Marietta L. Stow, showing her "Equal Rights Costume". ca. mid 1880s. Morse Studio, San Francisco. Cabinet card. Collection of Oakland Museum of California. Gift of Mr. W.H. Whelan. More info »

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