Ruth Roland - Public domain portrait print

The beginning of the twentieth century was a period of dramatic change for women in the West. In the late Victorian period women were constricted by a patriarchal social structure. But the early twentieth century saw the creation of the Suffragette movement, the catalyst for the rapid social change that occurred over the rest of the century. With career options other than marriage and motherhood opening up to them, women engaged with politics, served in the two world wars, made an impact on the artistic and literary worlds and experienced social and sexual liberation. Between 1880 and 1910, the number of women employed in the United States increased from 2.6 million to 7.8 million. Women's organizations in towns and cities across the U.S. were working to promote suffrage, better schools, the regulation of child labor, women in unions, and liquor prohibition. By emphasizing traditional traits, female social reformers created new spaces for themselves in local and then national government even before they had the right to vote.

Ruth Roland (1892-1937) was an American silent film actress and early film producer. She was born on 26 August 1892 in San Francisco, California, and began her acting career in the early 1910s. Ruth Roland appeared in numerous silent films and quickly gained popularity for her roles in action-adventure and drama films. One of her most notable works is the film serial "The Adventures of Ruth" (1919), in which she starred and showcased her athleticism and daring stunts. Roland was known for performing many of her own stunts, which contributed to her image as a strong and adventurous heroine. In addition to her acting career, Ruth Roland also became involved in film production. She co-founded the independent production company Ruth Roland Serials, which produced several successful film serials. Roland's career peaked during the silent film era, and with the advent of sound in cinema, her popularity declined. She retired from acting in the early 1930s. Tragically, Ruth Roland died on 22 September 1937 at the age of 45. Despite her relatively short career, she left a lasting impact on the silent film industry, particularly through her pioneering roles as action heroines and her contributions to film production.