Guide Note
Feminism is a movement that advocates equal rights for men and women. It is officially divided into three "waves." Beginning in the 19th century, feminism focused on women's rights to own property, then expanded to include voting rights. The movement also fights for women's economical, professional and reproductive rights. Betty Friedan wrote The Feminine Mystique in 1963, which encouraged women to do more than just raise children and manage a household. There have been many variations of feminism, including French feminism, liberal feminism, ecofeminism and multiracial feminism.
Fast Facts
- Divided into three waves
- Began in 19th Century1
- Mainly thrives in Europe and U.S.2
First Wave
In the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, the first wave of feminism was focused on obtaining voting rights for women. Major leaders in this time were Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. The first wave ended with the 19th Amendment, which awarded voting rights to women.3
Second Wave
In the 1960s, Betty Friedan wrote her book The Feminine Mystique about housewives suffering from emptiness. This brought about the second wave of feminism, which involved advocating for equal work opportunities for men and women, abortion rights, child care and maternity leave for working women. Friedan formed the National Women's Organization in 1966.4
Third Wave
The third wave consists mainly of women who want to improve on the feminist ideas from the second wave. It involves many advocates for further equality in the workplace, equal responsibilities in the home, and men who support feminism.5
Related Pages on Mahalo
Women's Suffrage Movement | Gloria Steinem | Betty Friedan | Sexism | Marriage | Divorce | Sarah Palin | Susan B. Anthony | Margaret Sanger
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