Abstract

The Progressive Era of 1880-1920 saw the development of a variety of reform programs and progressive ideas. My paper explores the history of one reformer of this period, Annie Jenness Miller(1895-1939), and the Jenness Miller Boots she created. My research examines Jenness Miller's contribution to shoe reform. Only a few historians have delved into how the construction of women’s shoes changed significantly during this era. My work sheds light on both Annie Jenness Miller as a reformer and the impact of the shoes that she constructed. Jenness Miller believed that fashion should be "hygienic" and comfortable for women. She developed and marketed the Jenness Miller Boots as a reform shoe that allowed women to walk comfortably. Despite the work Jenness Miller did during the Progressive Era, she has since been forgotten.She became a pioneer businesswoman at a time when women were just entering the workforce. Jenness Miller gave thousands of speeches across the United States and Canada. She created her own dress reform magazine and several clothing items for women and babies. Jenness Miller wrote four books about fashion reform. Her work in the fashion industry not only created a line of "hygienic" boots but also showed women that they had a place in the business world. 

Keywords: Jenness Miller, shoe reform, Progressive Era

How to Cite:

Griffith, M., (2024) “The Legacy of Shoe Reform: The Annie Jenness Miller Boots”, Footnotes: A Journal of History 6(1), 26-31.