When I was brainstorming ideas for my first post the first thing I thought of was how little I know about where feminism comes from. How can I have this strong opinion about something so important and have no idea where it all started? I did a lot of research --the number of things I know about Roman women and how pissed off they were at the Roman emperor now is probably unhealthy-- but it really made an impression on me.
So this will be a history lesson. It won’t be a “turn to page 472 in your textbook” history lesson. You won’t have homework (thank god), but it will hopefully help you understand where feminism has been. And where it’s going.
Feminism’s history is categorized into three waves.
It is believed that the first wave began in 3rd century Rome. Early protesting included, women blocking entrances to resist laws that limited their use of grain, cotton, and other basic needs. I know that seems dumb, cotton and grain, but that’s like taking away your entire closet and all the junk food you ate last night (i.e. you can’t live without it). In 1848, the first recorded women’s rights convention was held. Did you notice the jump from the 3rd century to the 1800s? Ya I know. Anyway, during the first wave, groups including, the League of Women Voters, Women’s Trade Union League, and many others were created. These groups allow today’s women --us-- to vote and have our own opinions (ikr super cool).
Every single group and protest led to the second wave, which despite its great need did not begin until the 1960s and 70s. For anyone that doesn’t understand, that is A LONG TIME between the realization and discussion that women deserved basic rights, and the enactment of laws that provided them. During this second wave, the Equal Pay Act of 1963 was enacted (because women did an equal amount of work as men for much less pay) and mainstream groups- such as the National Organization for Women -were created. Unlike the first wave, the second changed the basic understanding of gender and the roles of the family. Women were no longer perceived solely as housewives, they were working human beings that deserved to be treated that way.
In the mid-1990s, the third wave had begun. It was led by the children of the second wave-- those who believed this fight for equality was not finished. However, many critics decided that this was a pointless continuation of a movement that had ended. Third wave feminists countered with the idea that a concrete frame for gender was not only unrealistic but undesirable. These women sought to redefine beauty, femininity, and masculinity.
Feminism is defined as the belief in the social, economic, and political equality of the sexes. Every step that women have taken toward this definition affects our lives. And every step affects how we will share our opinions and how we will be a part of the fourth wave of feminism.
P.S. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this article, it really means a lot to me! I hope you enjoyed it. Please share it with your friends to spread the fourth wave of feminism!!
xoxoxo, Isabell
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