As previously discussed many
women’s issues overlap each other and the female activists who took on one
issue frequently moved on to other issues.
When discussing recent feminism we have the First Wave that essentially
worked for woman’s suffrage and control over her own body (contraception
etc.). Notable women who spearheaded
these issues include Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Emmeline Pankhurst and her
daughters, Lucy Stone, Susan B. Anthony, Margaret Sanger, Marie Stopes and
Stella Browne.
The second wave occurred in the
mid-20th century and spread the concern to gender equality in the
work place as well as in their personal space.
Two important books are Simone de Beauvior’s (1949) “The Second Sex” and
Betty Friedan’s (1963) “The Feminine Mystique”.
Gloria Steinem has also been a feminist activist since the ‘60’s and has
been considered a leader of the second wave of feminism.
In today’s world women take for
granted many of the things were not available to women in the 60’s. Birth control was still difficult to get in
many parts of the world, including Canada and the USA. Access to legal abortions did not occur in
the USA until the Supreme Court case of Roe v. Wade in 1973. In Canada it was legal from 1969 but within
the scope of a woman’s physical or mental health was in danger and had to be
signed off by a committee of doctors.
This law was struck down in 1988.
The third wave came in the 1990’s
and at this time there was much criticism of the second wave in that it was
felt that it generally addressed white, middle class or privileged women. The third wave worked for inclusivity of all
ethnic backgrounds as well as continuing the campaign for women’s rights in the
work place, with their reproductive rights and for enlightenment on harassment. The outrage over the Clarence Thomas / Anita
Hill verdict sent a rallying call across the USA:
“So I write this as a plea to all women,
especially women of my generation: Let Thomas’ confirmation serve to remind
you, as it did me, that the fight is far from over. Let this dismissal of a woman's experience move you to anger. Turn
that outrage into political power. Do not vote for them unless they work for
us. Do not have sex with them, do not break bread with them, do not nurture
them if they don't prioritize our freedom to control our bodies and our lives.
I am not a post-feminism feminist. I am the Third Wave.” Rebecca Walker, MS Magazine 1992
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