Amelia Bloomer

Amelia Bloomer, born Amelia Jenks on May 27, 1818 in Homer, New York, was an American women's rights advocate, social reformer, and journalist.

She was the sixth of nine children in her family. Amelia grew up in a Quaker household, which instilled in her a strong sense of equality and social justice.

During her early years, Amelia received a limited formal education, as was common for girls at the time. However, she was an avid reader and continued to educate herself throughout her life. She developed a passion for literature, history, and social issues, which would later influence her advocacy work.

On April 15, 1840, at the age of 22, Amelia married law student Dexter C. Bloomer. He became an attorney and their marriage allowed Amelia access to a wider social circle and opportunities to engage with various reform movements of the era. Dexter Bloomer was also supportive of his wife's interests and encouraged her activism.

Bloomer wrote on current affairs for her husband's newspaper before founding and editing Lily (1849–53), a temperance journal that, under the influence of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, also championed women's rights. It is believed the Lily, was the first newspaper edited entirely by a woman.

Bloomer advocated a move away from starched petticoats and whale-bone fitted corsets to something giving women freedom of movement. 

In 1851, the women’s rights campaigner told her American readers how to make the Turkish-style pantaloons and short skirt that she had adopted — and within weeks newspapers dubbed it the ‘Bloomer’ dress.

Although Bloomer's costume was not adopted for general wear, the bloomers were worn by women for gymnastic and other physical exercises through the turn of the century. 

Bloomer suit

Amelia Bloomer's efforts were followed by those of doctors who wanted to put an end to the corset, but their attempts to inject reason into fashion met with failure.

These trousers were soon adopted in England where they became especially suitable for younger ladies taking up bicycling.

Although the bloomers themselves did not become a lasting fashion trend, Amelia Bloomer's efforts helped raise awareness about the need for women's dress reform and the larger issues of gender equality. Her activism and writing played a vital role in advancing the cause of women's rights and paved the way for future generations of feminists.

Amelia Bloomer continued her advocacy work throughout her life. She co-founded and served as the first president of the Iowa Woman Suffrage Association and remained an active voice for women's rights until her death on December 30, 1894. 

At a British Columbia auction in 1983, Houston tavern owner Jim Anderson paid $3,000 for a pair of "bloomers" once worn by Queen Victoria. They are history's most expensive used bloomers.

Source Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia © 1998 The Learning Company, Inc