Feminism

History Of Feminism
In the 1960's, women were expected to follow one path in their lives, to marry in her early 20's, start a family quickly, and then devote her life to homemaking. They were legally subject to their husbands via "head and master laws", they also had no legal rights to any of their husbands earnings or property. The 38 percent of American Women who worked in 1960 were largely limited to jobs as a teacher, nurse or secretary.







Feminism Quotations

• "I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat."  -- Rebecca West, 20th-century British novelist and journalist
• "A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men." Gloria Steinem, journalist and second-wave feminist leader
• "Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression."  Bell Hooks, black feminist author

• The feminist agenda is about a socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians."  Pat Robertson, Christian broadcaster

Major Events: Bra Burning

In the 1960's the phrase "Bra Burning" was well known.  People say that very few women actually burned their bras, but many supported those actions.  Women burned their bras because they felt that it proved a statement or made a stand for Women's Rights.  Another reason they burned their bras was because it was a symbol that showed independence of men at the time.  The women that didn't burn their bras often walked around wearing no bra at all.  This was also meant to show independence of men.

Famous Feminists And Their Beliefs

Black, Clementina (1850's-1923). Social reformer and writer. Born in England. Worked to improve social and industrial conditions for women and girls in England through militant unionism. Wrote `Sweated Labor and the Minimum Wage' (1907) and `Married Women's Work' (1915)

Friedan, Betty (born 1921) Born in the U.S., a famous author and known feminist. She wrote the best-seller, "The Feminine Mystique" and challenged traditional roles of women. Cofounder and president of the National Organization for Women (from 1966-1977). She cofounded the First Women's Bank and convened International Feminist Congress in 1973.

How Feminism Has Changed Over the Years

Feminism has changed over the years for the better as women now have equal rights and now have equal paid jobs, in some areas women earn much more than the man in a relationship and are now much more respected than they used to be.