A generation of young women emerged in the 1920s, recognized for their avant-garde attitudes and fashion choices. They were typically between the ages of 15 and 30, and were concentrated in urban areas, particularly in major cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. While flappers could be found throughout the country, they were most closely associated with the Northeast and the Midwest. These women, who questioned conventional gender roles and expectations, were referred to as "flappers." They welcomed freedom from societal limitations by wearing short skirts and styling their hair in bobs. In the 1920s, when flapper culture was at its height, Saint Mary's College was empowering and promoting education for women. While Saint Mary’s has historically provided a traditional education for its students, the spirit of independence and empowerment that was embodied by the flapper movement is not too dissimilar from the values that Saint Mary's has instilled in its students throughout its history.

During the Prohibition era, flappers were known for their love of dancing, smoking, and drinking. Prohibition made alcohol illegal, but it also created a thriving black market for liquor. This meant that people were drinking more than ever, and many young people were drawn to the excitement and glamor of speakeasies and other illegal drinking establishments. The flapper style, with its short skirts and loose clothing, was well-suited to the energetic dancing that was popular in these venues. The flapper craze took over America in the 1920s, and its attire and way of life are still remembered as a representation of the cultural change of the time. 

Check out this Smithsonian Channel video for a brief introduction to flappers in the 1920s.