Amelia Jenks Bloomer (
May 27,
1818-
December 30,
1914) was an
American women's rights and
temperance advocate. She presented her views in her own monthly paper,
The Lily, which she began publishing in
1849. One of the major causes promoted by Bloomer was a change in dress standards for women so that they would be less restrictive. She supported the wearing of shorter skirts, but with undergarments reaching to the knees to preserve modesty. Eventually, these knee-length garments came to be known as "bloomers" after her.