The First Wave Of Feminism In The 1920's

The goal of feminism is to advocate for women’s rights with regard to political, social and economic equality to men. In the 1800s, women virtually had no control over their life as it pertained to their rights to vote, higher-education, and their rights within their own households. The first wave of feminism focused on suffrage – the right to vote. This movement began at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1849 which was the birthplace of feminism and the first ever women’s rights convention. Led and organized by middle-class Western white women, the suffrage movement gained traction with leaders Susan B Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. In 1920, the 19th Amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution barring the denial of a citizen’s right to
In 1968 and 1969, women protested the Miss America pageant coining it a “cattle parade” while throwing bras girdles, high heels and makeup into garbage cans (Rampton, 2015). In addition, protesters crowned a sheep as Miss America as a statement of resistance to being treated as sexual objects. Women’s only groups formed to raise consciousness and publications such as the “BITCH Manifesto” and “Sisterhood is Powerful” advocated for a female’s place in the sun (Rampton, 2015). This wave of feminism focused on the relativity of race, class and gender oppression and included women of color and developing nations.
In the 90s, we experienced the re-adoption of high heels, lips stick, low cut shirts and cleavage by young feminist, which was contrary to feminist practices during the first two waves. Phrases such as “you can have a push-up bra and a brain” were coined for feminist during this wave. Women of this movement presented themselves as strong and empowered, subjects of beauty rather than objects. In addition, the counter-attack on sexist verbal weapons such as “slut” or “bitch” were mimicked to subvert the sexist