Learn how female circus performers, one of the earliest groups of women to achieve wage parity with their male counterparts, became outspoken and powerful advocates in the women’s suffrage movement, in this video adapted from The Circus | AMERICAN EXPERIENCE. By 1912, the push for women’s suffrage (voting rights) was stronger than ever, thanks in large part to a dramatic rise of women in the workforce. The extraordinary feats of female circus performers sent an empowering message that was supported by the circus owners, who permitted them to campaign for suffrage on circus grounds as they toured the country.