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Molly Haithcock

Lyndsay Knowles

English 111

Date: March 13th 2018

Feminism’s History

Rosie the Riveter, the face for women all over America. “We can do it!” sound familiar

now? The promotion of “Rosie’s” (often referred to as the first women to work hard labor during

World War II) led many women to find their strength to pursue careers that were only sought

after by men. We were equals. Feminism originated from the French word “feminisme.”

Throughout the years “feminism” has been twisted and misconstrued into women believing that

they are the inferior gender. Some women have abused the strength that the female gender has

gained and used it to belittle the opposite gender. Often, we have seen women go toe to toe with

each other rather than lift each other up.

Throughout history Feminism has been extremely successful during what was given the

name of the “Waves of Feminism”. Let’s begin with the first wave also known as the “Suffrage

Movement.” During the 19th and 20th century throughout the United Kingdom and the United

States, women had little to no control over their lives. The earliest organized feminist movement

was held at a conference in Seneca Falls, USA in 1848. Women knew they needed their own

voice because they were required to marry young and give birth to many children. Unable to

acquire higher education, women were left behind. The main duties of a woman were to cook,

clean and take care of all the children in the household and many were used for prostitution.

Knowing the potential, they had women begun to fight for their place. The movement addressed

groups such as the abolition of slavery, social purity and temperance. In 1928 women gained
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their first right to vote and to own property. Females eventually established jobs within the

Military as nurses.

Second-wave feminism emerged in the 60s and 70s, and thus began the fight for equality

among genders because of the mass entry of women into the workforce. It wasn’t just men who

could do hard labor, but women too. Women began to fight for equal pay, the contraceptive pill,

access to legal and safe abortions, equal credit opportunities, and the Pregnancy Discrimination

Act. All women, regardless of race or sexual orientation worked together. A feminism supporter

and activist once said, “Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already

strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.” – G. D. Anderson.

During the 1990s the third wave feminism came to the surface. This wave focused on

social equality and breaking society representation of women as objects and encouraging them to

be individuals. The media has been known to portray women as a sexualized object rather than a

strong hardworking being. Women didn’t need to only rely on others for the protection of

themselves. They focused on themselves, encouraging others to do the same. Self-care became a

very important part during this movement. The third wave brought forward many celebrities,

movies and television shows promoting the empowerment of women and their equality to men. It

was no longer only men portraying the heroes in books, movies and shows. A few of the strong

women shown in moves included Mulan, Dora the Explorer, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. These

productions began opening the doors for many more to follow.

Over the years feminism has flourished tremendously. The Women’s March was held in

Washington, DC. January 21st, 2017 nearly 5,000,000 people participated. During the Trump

campaign, many of his discrepancies emerged and sent Feminist activists overboard. People from

all walks of life attended this march for different reasons. This march highlighted a variety of
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many social issues including human rights, immigration reform, women’s health care, LGBT

rights, racial equality, environmental protection, healthcare reform, freedom of religion and

immigration reform. If there is anything you will remember about feminism, it will be their

marches. This march has been recorded as the United States largest single-day protest in history.

The philosophy of Radical Feminism depicts social dominance of women. Women have

been oppressed and men given privileges merely because of their sex. Today radical feminists

are against the political and social establishment that supports patriarchy. The term patriarchy

seems to set the movement in an uproar. These women are demanding reforms that will apply to

everyday life. Radical feminists do not have faith in the current political systems. I feel some, not

all are forgetting that not all men today are still oppressing the female gender. Many men support

their daughters, girlfriends or wives. Plenty of women today are the breadwinners for their

homes successfully without putting down the opposite sex.

I am active on Facebook, Instagram and twitter, and I follow many different people who

believe many different things. I have seen a few of the women I have gone to school with who

always share pictures and stories degrading the male gender. A few posts have said “Women: the

hardest working gender.”; “We need to empower other women to live without men.”; “Men, who

needs em’.” Seeing women today being so closed minded has been disappointing. I am a firm

believer of the Golden Rule “Treat others how you would want to be treated.” If we cannot make

peace with that and more people continue down this path we will lose sight of what feminism

truly is and forget why this all started. Looking down on those who do or do not support the

movement will only make things harder for the future. We are all feminists in some way shape

or form. The dedication of the early feminists opened many opportunities for not only women

but everyone.
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Political parties in Washington are finally recognizing that the women’s vote is crucial to

making social reforms come true. Teaming up with other activist groups can also help with the

women’s causes. I have seen pictures circulating the internet of women parading throughout the

march in their birthday suits shouting vulgar things at passersby and wearing a hat in the shape

of female genitalia. The feminist movement does not have to be exhibited with negative

displays. Many positive social changes are apparent in our future. The world needs to come

together and work towards a goal for the future of our children and our grandchildren. If

feminism could open their hearts, their arms and their minds to those who don’t quite understand

there is a possibility of harmony. “If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn

the world upside down all alone, together women ought to be able to turn it right side up again.”

– Soujourner Truth