The women’s movement

The success of the women’s movement eventually led to the creation of the modern-day feminist.

This new movement called for a reexamination of policies, politics, and procedures from the patriarchal American government. This movement could be countered in the media.

For example, The Cosmopolitan cover from September 1953 shows five dancers in revealing glittering dance outfits. All have their legs raised and are smiling or laughing.  This cover’s provocative image reinforces the sexual nature of women which was detailed by the Kinsey report, a document on the sexual behavior of women (DuBois, 540).

Betty Friedan, a leader in the women’s movement stressed the unhappiness of educated women. Women want more than just, “my husband, my children, and my home,” (DuBois, 542). There is a large segment of the population that mustn’t be forgotten, the middle class, the workers, teachers, nurses. The feminist movement grew along with the civil rights movement as many were feeling that power of an idea whose time had come. (DuBois, 598)

Photographs of the labor movement of the 50s and 60s were very important and could tell you a lot about the climate of the times. For example, the photograph entitled Women and Union Activism shows a crowd of almost all white women displaying their UAW union cards, they are all smiling and looking up at the camera.

This new-found attention continued in all avenues, as women soon became the focus of specific political campaigns as we see in the photograph entitled, Republican Women for Nixon. (DuBois, 554) Here are three young white women sitting on a short wall in skirts all holding a banner with slogans like Young Republican Spirts of the 60s, Nixon for President and the GOP The Best for Me (DuBois, 554) these images show how stereotypes are used for peer pressure.

One woman that girls could look up to in the 1950s, was biologist Rachel Carson. In her famous book, Silent Spring she discusses her love of fresh air and forests and was usually shown in an outside rustic environment. On the cover of her book, the Sea Around Us, Carson is featured smiling against the rugged waves of the ocean.
When feminist voices began to be heard, more needs arose for the movement’s influence. One such demand was that of the anti-nuclear movement, which eventually formed the organization, Women Strike for Peace(WSF). This anti-nuclear group would strike and hold banners such as, Women Strike for Peace (DuBois, 555).

Leaders in the women’s movement grew and were shown in different positive light images, for example, the image of Dolores Huerta shows her signing up members of the United Farm Workers. Dolores eventually forced an agreement between the growers and the Unions. (Dubois, 570). There were also several African Americans that help with the Black Power movement. One such famous popular leader was Angela Davis, as the photograph shows we see her speaking to a large group in an urban setting (DuBois, 613).

Civil rights and women’s rights were both fighting for change.
As the feminist movement became more accepted conservative politicians began to join in and careful agendas were created. Many famous female politicians and first ladies started attended events, greatly helping the feminist movement. (DuBois, 640) A new feminist organization NOW was created with a very organized modern agenda including equal rights amendment, the law banning sex discrimination, maternity rights, tax deductions, child care, and equal education. (DuBois, 610)

Feminism is still relevant today more than ever. Recently, in fact, the wave of sexual harassment accusations has shown that abuse of male power is still everywhere. The issue of equal pay for equal work is still a current issue of the feminist movement. And the right to control your bodies, i.e. abortion rights are also still an issue today. Regarding being called a feminist, after all this research,  I now see it depends on the definition. But I would add, I think all people should be treated as equals.

References

Through Women’s Eyes: An American History with Documents, E. DuBois, L.Dumenil., Bedford, Boston, 2005
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