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Learn about the origins, movements and achievements of first-wave feminism, a period of feminist activity and thought from the 19th to the early 20th century. Explore the global and intersectional perspectives, the wave metaphor and the challenges of the term.
- First Wave: 1848 - 1920
- Second Wave: 1963 - 1980s
- Third Wave: 1990s -
- Fourth Wave: Present Day
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The first organized movement aimed at gaining rights for American women effectively began in July 1848, with the convention organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott at Seneca Falls, New York. Attendees signed the Declaration of Sentiments, which affirmed women’s equality with men, and passed a dozen resolutions calling for various spec...
In 1963, Betty Friedan published The Feminine Mystique, which argued that women were chafing against the confines of their roles as wives and mothers. The book was a massive success, selling 3 million copies in three years and launching what became known as the second wave of feminism. Inspired by the civil rights movement and protests against the ...
While the advances of second-wave feminism had undoubtedly achieved more equality and rights for women, the movement that emerged in the early 1990s focused on tackling problems that still existed, including sexual harassment in the workplace and a shortage of women in positions of power. Rebecca Walker, the mixed-race daughter of second-wave leade...
Though fourth wave feminism is relatively difficult to define—as some people argue it’s simply a continuation of the third wave—the emergence of the Internet has certainly led to a new brand of social media-fueled activism. Launched by Tarana Burke in 2007, the #MeToo movement took off in 2017 in the wake of revelationsabout the sexual misconduct o...
Learn how feminism has evolved over time, from the first wave of suffrage in the 19th century to the fourth wave of social media activism today. Explore the key events, leaders and movements that shaped each wave of feminism and its goals for women's rights.
- Sarah Pruitt
- 5 min
Apr 5, 2021 · The first wave of the feminist movement is usually tied to the first formal Women’s Rights Convention that was held in 1848. However, first wave feminists were influenced by the collective activism of women in various other reform movements.
Feb 13, 2024 · Learn about the first wave of feminism, a period of the feminist movement that occurred from 1848 to 1920 in Western countries. Find out how women advocated for social and constitutional equal rights, such as the right to vote, education, property, and citizenship.
- The first wave of feminism is believed to have started around 1848, often tied to the first formal Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York.
- The second wave of feminism is believed to have taken place between the early 1960s to the late 1980s. This wave commenced after the postwar chaos, and it was thought to be inspired by the civil rights movement in the United States and the labor rights movement in the United Kingdom.
- The third wave is thought to have spanned from the late 1980s until the 1990s. There are some overlaps and continuations from second wave feminism, but many third wave feminists simply sought to rid the perceived rigid ideology of second wave feminists.
- While there is some disagreement, it is generally accepted that there is a fourth wave of feminism which may have started anywhere from 2007 to 2012 (Sternadori, 2019) and continues to the present day.
Oct 11, 2022 · First-wave feminism was an important era of history that helped bring about significant social change and pave the way for equality for women of the Western world.
Sep 21, 2021 · Learn about the history and goals of the first wave feminist movement, which emerged in the 19th century as a response to social, political, and religious inequalities. Explore the key figures, events, and challenges of the suffrage movement, as well as the impact of the Second Great Awakening and the Bible on feminism.
