Learn more about this Woman of the Year.
The image of American women in the 1950s was heavily shaped by popular culture: the ideal suburban housewife who cared for the home and children appeared frequently in women's magazines, in the movies and on television.
In 1950s America, it was expected that men would marry and work to support a family. Women were expected to marry, have children, and devote themselves to maintaining a home and being the primary caretaker of the children.
Hillary Clinton (bottom left) has been the most admired woman 22 times, and Eleanor Roosevelt (bottom right) has been the most admired woman 13 times.
Housework and the care of children was considered woman's work so the man would expect the house to be clean and tidy, meal ready, children fed and washed and his clothes all ready for the next day at work.
The 1950s were the atomic age of science and technology. “Modern” was synonymous with space-aged and comfortable. The end of World War II gave rise to a wave of servicemen with new jobs starting new families in new homes. Industries expanded and Americans bought goods not available during the war.
1950's fashion was casual yet formal and elegant. Shoulder lines became more softened, corset waists became smaller, and rounded hips with long skirts became popular. The iconic gray felt poodle skirts emerged with white bobby socks and saddle shoes.
1950s: In a 2015 UK survey, Audrey Hepburn was named the number one beauty icon of all time. As she broke into the spotlight in the 1950s, audiences fell in love with her doe eyes and delicate features.
Bella Hadid
According to the Golden Ratio of Beauty Phi (a scientific measure of physical perfection), she is the most beautiful girl in the world.
Patti Page Remembered As The Biggest Female Singer Of 1950s Robert Siegel talks to Dr. Hugh Foley, founding member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, about Patti Page. Page was the top-selling female singer of the 1950s. She died at the age of 85 on New Year's Day in Encinitas, Calif.
1. John Wayne. Known for his strong, silent style of acting, John Wayne became a household name after starring in multiple Westerns.
The decade sees the birth of the 'prosperous society', with a time of full (male) employment and a boom in babies and marriages. A quiet demographic revolution is underway thanks to ongoing immigration.
The music of the day, especially rock and roll, reflected their desire to rebel against adult authority. Other forms of 1950s popular culture, such as movies and television, sought to entertain, while reinforcing values such as religious faith, patriotism, and conformity to societal norms.
The 50's was an era called the Golden Age of Capitalism, a period of unprecedented economic growth that benefited both the capitalists and workers, as result of higher wages.
Back in the '50s, women most commonly held positions as secretaries, bank tellers or clerical workers, sales clerks, private household workers and teachers.
In the 1950s, women felt tremendous societal pressure to focus their aspirations on a wedding ring. The U.S. marriage rate was at an all-time high and couples were tying the knot, on average, younger than ever before. Getting married right out of high school or while in college was considered the norm.
The stereotypical good housewife of the 1950's is thought of as being beautiful, dolled up all time from head to toes, a chief, a maid, a mother, and a loyal wife. Wives of the 1950's had one job, to be a homemaker.