Friedan brings emotion and anger to the plight of women in her era of feminism, highlighting a political issue that remained out of the spotlight for far too long. Modern feminists can learn a lot from Friedan as a pioneer for women speaking out for what they believe despite it being unpopular. Though her work mainly discussed the feelings of white middle class women, her work led to a more comprehensive study of oppression on multiple levels, called intersectionality. Though not a politician herself, Friedan was able to take steps towards bringing on meaningful political change, a problem many women are still facing today especially in the abortion debate. Friedan and Gilman’s work have formed the touchstones for the current feminist movements and will continue to play a huge role as women work to advance their rights further in the coming years.
Nicole McCray Dr. Davis POL-100 10/08/12 Alice Paul Alice Paul was one of the most significant figures in the movement to secure women’s rights in America. As educated, Paul used radical political strategies to produce favorable results for the Women’s Suffrage movement. Her militant actions eventually led to the ratification of the 19th amendment which secured women’s right to vote. Alice was born in Paulsdale on Jan 11, 1885 to William and Tacie Paul who eventually had two more children after Alice. Alice’s parents were Quakers, and instilled their religious beliefs into her.
The shattering of classifications and stereotypes, and the subversion of traditional gender roles, and the concept of sisterhood or unity among women are among the main tenets of feminist criticism. In the words of Catherine Besley, she mentioned that the cultural construction of subjectivity is one of the central issues for feminism (qtd. in Con Davis and Schleifer, 355). All women are feminists. However, it cannot be denied that women still experience the effects
Her novel `The Awakening' (1899) shocked many people with its portrayal of a young woman's sexual and artistic longings. Collins, Martha Layne (born 1963) Kentucky's first female governor and first woman to chair the National Conference of Lieutenant Governors. 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).
Fighting for a cause The women’s suffrage movement, symbol of nineteenth and early twentieth century feminism, is the one most visible manifestation of women’s emancipation. From the birth of the nation to a Constitutional Amendment passed in 1920, suffrage for women had been batted aside, ignored, criticized, and denied. Those who attacked women’s suffrage were attacking much more than the idea that women as well as men should enter the polling booth. Across America women living in the 1900’s were angry and tired of feeling betrayed and treated as an unequal second class citizen. However these brave remarkable women decided to take action that helped forever changed American history, the right to vote.
Then, The Awakening novel was allowed to print and popularize to everyone. From 1906 to 1969, it was studying by Per Seyersted, a Norwegian scholar. Some feminist critics saw this novel as the basic of American literature. Since that, Chopin’s writing have been accepted rapidly by people and her books began to be reprinted. Three decades later, The Awakening became a classic of the American literature and the important context of feminist criticism because of its opinion in the ways that women are treated, the traditionally feminist concerns, the aspiration for love, artistry, etc.
Feminists were bold, outspoken, and more conscious of their female identity. Feminism focused particularly on economic and sexual independence for women. Economically, they believed that women should enter the modern age by seeking employment, in essence leaving their domestic responsibilities to paid employees. Sexually, they strongly advocated the use of birth control. This movement was led by Margaret Sanger.
Between 1890 and 1913 two groups were founded to highlight women’s suffrage and to push for reforms including allowing women to vote. Through the hard work and effort of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) and the National Women’s Party (MWP) women achieved the right to vote in 1920 when the Nineteenth Amendment was passed. The current impact of the women’s suffrage movement in society today is the fair and equal treatment of women, having and sustaining the right to vote, and entering into politics. Although more women today are using the rights that were gained in the 1900’s there is still a long way to go. Issues such as equal pay, “the glass ceiling”, and political involvement are still being fought for.
The Life and Times of E.B.B. Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861) During the early nineteenth century, feminists were first coming out into the political forefront. Among them, Elizabeth Barrett Browning emerged as one the greatest woman writers of all time. She wrote of "social reform, for the rights of lower classes and women, and for the cause of Italian freedom (Lewis)." While many aspects and circumstances of life affected her work, she was also able to effect society in many ways.
Women have faced challenges all throughout the history of this nation however; there have been major achievements for women as well. The Women’s Suffrage in 1920’s, gave women the right to vote along with eligibility to run for office, and The Women’s Strike for Equality in 1970, which called for the equal opportunity for women alongside men, plus rights concerning abortion and birth control. (Imbornoni) Author Roxane Gay of “The Alienable Rights of Women” acknowledges obstacles women face regarding the use of birth control and complexities that involve female viewpoints in today’s society. Some of these obstacles occupy political opinions that put forth limitations toward women’s rights and their invasion of