Feminism
Feminism is a movement that campaigns for the rights of women. Feminist history can be categorized into three waves. The initial wave happened in the 19th and early 20th century, and it majorly emphasized on the women voting rights. Women were initially denied rights to vote by states because they were discriminated based on gender during voting time. The issue of the voting rights of women materialized during the inceptive wave of the feminist movement. Women had become enlightened about their rights; thus, it motivated them to fight for their voting rights. The subsequent wave occurred during the 1960s and 1970s, and it was a restoration movement for equal social and legal entitlements. It majorly concentrated on the areas of experience of women. The second wave fought for equality in the workplace and equal pay based on the level of knowledge of the women. The third wave started in the 1990s, and it is a prolongation of and response to the second wave. It contributed to the advancement of the movement groups in their urge to fight for the rights of women.
During the 1970s, there was a serious women’s moment in the United States. The movement included national organizations and campaigns for reproductive rights, groups that were concerned with women’s liberation, and raising women’s consciousness, and cultural projects. The campaign induced serious changes in the lives of most women. It opened professions and better-paying jobs that were formerly set aside for men. Additionally, it opened up public discussion of matters that were initially seen to be exclusive. The movement also transformed how the media portrayed women. Similarly, the campaign brought about the need for equality of women in various disciplines like politics, sports, and religions.