The Three Waves of the Feminist Movement (almost)
First Wave 1848-mid-1920s
Seminal text: “Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions”
Claims:
• Suffrage
• Creation of social and child-labor laws
• Start of campaign for legalized birth control
• Equal Rights Amendment (1923) is drafted
Second Wave rises out of anti-war and civil-rights movements
Seminal text: The Feminine Mystique, Betty Friedan 1963
Claims:
• predominately white, middle class American-based, educated women; eventually moves into the
academy (National Women’s Studies Association)
• organization of women’s liberation groups in major US cities
• activist activities: consciousness-raising (CR) groups and speak-outs occur in major cities across the US
• women step into male-dominated political arenas
• ERA moves to Congress (loses by three votes)
• successful passing of Title IV (equal funding for boys and girls activities in educational settings that are
federally funded)
• women’s health issues are recognized: Our Bodies, Ourselves, 1971
• legal and social recognition of: domestic violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault, child sexual
abuse, women in the workplace, women in the military, women’s reproductive rights, rape, pornography,
homophobia
Third Wave late 1980s to present
Seminal Text(s): Manifesta: Young Women, Feminisms and the Future, Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy
Richards, 2000; ‘zines created by the Riot Grrrl movement
Claims:
• broader inclusion of recognition: women of color, sexual diversity, age (recognition of young girls and
older women), and men
• inclusion becomes more transglobal; activist activities becomes a fight for all women everywhere, beyond
US borders (Transnational/Global Feminism)
• volunteerism is new force for activist activities
• CR groups form through new texts: the ‘zine movement gives way to the use of writing, new technologies
(Internet, filmmaking, music)
• women begin stepping into male-dominated cultural arenas
• women’s health issues are recognized through activist activities: reproductive health rights marches on
DC in 1989, 1992 and 2004
• legal and social recognition of: date rape, sexual identity issues (custody battles, gender reassignment,
marriage rights), reclamation of language (cunt, bitch, slut), objectification (body image is major issue)
• shifting of Second Wave ideals on “proper” feminism: marriage, pornography
• voter registration among women becomes driving force for many activist activities