Intro to waves of the feminist movement/ first wave feminisms

1930s

A. Women's movement loses numbers and influence B. Many women are indifferent to their newfound right to vote C. Women who do vote, work outside the home, and/or participate publicly in political movement are harshly criticized D. The Depression results in legislation restricting the employment of married women

In 1920, 19th

Amendment is passed, granting women the right to vote

Seneca Falls Convention - Declaration of Sentiments

Based on the Declaration of Independence Placed the onus on women to take action to protect themselves for the future

Sojourner Truth

Delivered famous speech, "Ain't I a Woman?" (1851) Effective rhetorical appeal based on religion (i.e. women's roles in birthing and caring for Jesus) Instrumental in developing consciousness raising (sharing of personal experience) as a political tool Demonstrates the emotional and intellectual force behind women's rights movement, even for women who had little or no formal education

First wave

First Wave: Late 1800s to Early 1900s Formally began at the Seneca Falls Convention when three hundred men and women rallied to the cause of equality for women. Elizabeth Cady Stanton (d.1902) drafted the Seneca Falls Declaration outlining the new movement's ideology and political strategies. Goal: to open up opportunities for women, with a focus on suffrage Passed by Congress June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote.

Anna Julia Cooper

Fourth African-American woman to earn a doctoral degree (PhD in history from the University of Paris - Sorbonne) Published her first book, A Voice from the South: By A Woman from the South, in 1892 The book's central thesis was that the educational, moral, and spiritual progress of black women would improve the general standing of the entire African-American community

Declaration of Sentiments: What did it say?

Relied on 15 "facts" that proved "the history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her" Passed 12 Resolutions, arguing that "woman is man's equal" and that *men* should encourage women to speak, teach, participate in religious assemblies. The latter strategy is important because it recognized the need for both men AND women to participate in "zealous and untiring efforts"

First-Wave Feminism: Founding Beliefs

Right to vote is a necessary tool for all other aspects of emancipation; this focus had advantages and disadvantages: Advantages 1. Concrete reform 2. Mobilizing effect 3. Symbolized participation of women—as individuals—in public life. Disadvantages Required approval of male voters/politicians. Forced to adopt any argument necessary (often invoked traditional gender roles) Intensified racism, nativism, and class bias

First wave an overview:

The efforts of women in the 19th century that led to the passage of women's right to vote in 1920 is often referred to as the first wave of feminisms. First Wavers were primarily concerned with women's equalities, specifically the right to vote.

Defining Feminism

The term "feminism" is introduced in the U.S. (approx. 1910) Feminism: Distinguishes Suffragists From Those Who Argued For The "Full Integration Of Women Into" All Aspects Of "Social, Political, And Economic Life" (Kesselman 557) "We want simply to be ourselves...not just our little female selves but our whole big human selves" -Mary Jenney Howe, 1914, at the meeting entitled "What Is Feminism"

Waves vs Waterfalls

This section will cover the first of three major "waves" of feminism The word "Wave is used to categorize feminism because it illustrates the forward motion-and then resistance or loss of motion - of the women's movement(s). It helps to understand this movement in by thinking of the motion of an actual wave (in, toward the sand, then back out). As each wave of femisms used forward with progress and change, the result was often a "backward" motion (or a standstill) so to speak. In women's studies, this called a backlash.

1950s

With war over and men needing to return to their jobs (and thus their "proper" gender roles), the focus returns to the nuclear family, which requires women back in the home.

"New Woman"

early 20th c. image of woman as self-reliant and engaged with the world.

1940s - World War II prompts patriotic movement that relies on women's work in factories to support war efforts. Two major consequences are:

1. A lasting shift in attitudes about women's aptitudes and proper roles 2. Married women workers demonstrated work-family balance

First-Wave Feminism: Getting Started

1840s - 1850s reform movements that coalesced with Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 Led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and others. Main focus was the right to vote Led primarily by white women who supported restrictions based on race and property ownership

Second Wave

1960 to 90-'s This wave unfolded in the context of the anti-war and civil rights movements This phase began with protests against the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City in 1968 and 1969 The landmark Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade was also a pinnacle event Goal: sexuality and reproductive rights were dominant issues, and much of the movement's energy was focused on passing the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution guaranteeing social equality regardless of sex

Third Wave

90's to now This wave unfolded in the context of the anti-war and civil rights movements This phase began with protests against the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City in 1968 and 1969 The landmark Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade was also a pinnacle event Goal: sexuality and reproductive rights were dominant issues, and much of the movement's energy was focused on passing the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution guaranteeing social equality regardless of sex

Goals of the women's movement became more diverse, with leaders organizing smaller groups focused on other issues affecting women:

Legal and accessible birth control Expansion of educational opportunities Crusade against lynching and other race-based violence and injustice Fight for improved working conditions

Alice Paul

Main leader and strategist of the 1910s campaign for the Nineteenth Amendment of the U.S. constitution to grant women the right to vote Worked with and was inspired by British suffragists as they passed the right for women to vote in Britain Contributed to the Civil Rights Act of 1964--including women as a group protected against discrimination

First-Wave Feminism: Fight for Suffrage

National Women's Party (NWP): an American women's organization formed in 1916 by Alice Paul and Lucy Burns Its sole priority was to fight for women's suffrage in the U.S. Paul was inspired by British suffragettes who used violence to gain publicity and force passage of suffrage NWP members, known as the "Silent Sentinels" protested outside of the White House during the start of the U.S. involvement in World War I They were subsequently arrested and went on hunger strikes Finally, Wilson supported the passage of the suffrage amendment in 1918 and eventually, it passed in both houses and was ratified by most states in 1920, giving women the right to vote NWP then made its sole purpose of passing the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)