The Feminist Movement

244 Pages·2002·47.087 MB·English

by  Nick Treanor

•
THE
FEMINIST
MOVEMENT
OTHER BOOKS IN THE
AMERICAN SOCIAL MOVEMENTS SERIES:
American Environmentalism
1'he Antislavery Movement
'I'he Sexual R evolution
The W hite Separatist Movement
THE FEMINIST
MOVEMENT
Nick Treanor, Book Editor
Daniel Leone, President
Bonnie Szun1ski, Publislier
Scott Barbour, Ma11agin,c.z Editor
GREENHAVEN PRESS
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
THOIVISON
- - -~.,___ __ ,u
GALE
Detroit • Neu• York • S011 Diego • Sa,1 Fra11cisco
Boston • New !lmJC>n, Com, • \'(late11nlle. Mame
Lo11don • .1!1111icb
Every effort has been made to trace the owners of copy
righted material. The articles in this volume may have been
edited for content, length, and/ or reading level. The titles have .,
been changed to enhance the editorial purpose.
No part of this book n1ay be reproduced or used in any form or by
any means, electrical, mechanical, or otherwise, including, but not
linuted to, photocopy, recording, or any information storage and re
trieval system, without prior permission from the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
The feminist move1nent / Nick Treanor, book editor.
p. cm. - (American social move1nents series)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Sumn1ary: Discusses the developn1ent of the feminist
movement, including world involvement and personal stories
ISBN 0-7377-1050-0 (lib.: alk. paper) -
ISBN 0-7377-1049-7 (pbk.: alk. paper)
1. Fenunisn1-United States. 2. Women- Ufuted States
Social conditions. [1. Feminisn1. 2. Wornen.J I. Title.
II. American social moven1ents.
HQ1426 .T775 2002
305.42'0973- dc21 2001007289
Cover photo: © Ricardo Watson/A rchive Photos
Library of Congress, 22, 98, 166, 193
Cover caption: Ferninists Bella Abzug, Gloria Steinem, Dick
Gregory, and Betty Friedan in ERA 1narch, Washington, D.C.
Copyright© 2002 by Greenhaven Press,
an u11.print of The Gale Group
10911 Technology Place, San Diego, CA 92127
Printed in the USA
CONTENTS
Foreword 10
Introduction: Feminism in America 12
Chapter 1 •
RIGHTS AND REASON:
AMERICAN WOMEN WIN THE VOTE
Declaration of Sentiments 37
by Elizabeth Cady Stanton et al.
Men and won1en are created equal, and the law
should treat then1 equally. A111erican law and society,
however, oppresses wo1nen, denying chen1 funda
n1ental rights, in particular, the right co vote.
The Emergence of Women's Rights as a
Political Issue 48
by Sheila Tobias
T he early women's n1oven1ent grew out of wo111en's
involven1ent in other social justice activities.
Through their involve111ent in these other activities,
won1.en developed their poljticaJ capacities and dis
covered their need for political equality.
The Suffrage Movement's Lessons for
Democracy 56
by Luci11da Desha Robb
During the long years of the suffi·age can1paign,
wo1nen honed the skills necessary to participate in
de111ocracy and den1onstrated their political capabili
ties. Th.is was true both for worr1en in favor of and
opposed to suffrage.
Taking a New Look at the Woman Suffrage
Movement 64
by Robert Cooney
The suffrage 111ove111ent \Vas one of tl1c great chap
ters in An1erican history. Although it \.Vas respon
sible for granting the n1ost fundan,enral political
right to one haJf of Arnerican citizens, the 1nove-
111ent and its heroes are largely ignored in most his
tory books.
...
Chapter 2 • THE Is
PERSONAL
POLITICAL: FEMINISM'S SECOND WAVE
The Birth Control Movement 73
by ja,nes Reed
Margaret Sanger was the central figure in the Amer
ican birth control movement. She ren1oved 1nuch of
the stign1a from birth control and was convinced
that access to birth control would improve the lives
of wo1nen.
The Problem That Had No Name 84
by Betty Friedan
Everywhere wo1nen in An1erica are unhappy, and
doctors, psychologists, and the 1nedia are busily
proposing solutions. The real source of the problem
is being ignored, however, and that is a media and
society that expects wo1nen to find fulfillment in
taking care of the husband and children.
Won1en's Liberation Aims to Free Men Too 95
by Gloria Steinen1
Ainerica society is plagued not only by sexism, but
by racisn1, elitism, and violence. By emphasizing the
need to question traditional stereotypes and
n1ythologies, fen1inisn1 can help everyone take a
fresh look at social problen1S. Fenunism is therefore
good for everyone, not merely wo1nen.
Lesbianism and the Women's Liberation
Movement 103
by Martha Shelley
Lesbianisn1, like fen1inism, reject~ male donlination
and fen1ale dependence on n1en. Most men, con
trary to what they say, actually hate won1en, and
fe1ninisn1 requires that won1enjoin together in lov
ing and supporting relations in order to resist this.
Blame It on Feminism 113
by Susan Fal11di
Fenunisrn is being blan1ed for a lot of th.ings, but the
real root of blan1e is continuing inequality between
n1en and won1en. The aggression tov.;ard ferninisn1 is
a backJash, driven by a fear of fen1inisn1 that arose as
soon as the lives of women started to in1prove be
cause of feminist successes.
Chapter 3 •
THE THIRD WAVE AND
THE FUTURE OF FEMINISM
Keeping the Movement Moving 125
by Betty Frieda11
Ferninisn1 is in trouble because its leaders have been
ignoring the real concerns of ordinary won1en.
Feminists need to sec aside their personal issues and
private agendas and concentrate on the core eco
nonuc issues that lie at the heart of fenunisn1.
White Women's Feminism 136
by Vero11ica Cha111bers
Mainstrean1 fe1ninis111 ignores specific issues that
black \,V0111en face, and n1any white feminists are in
face racists. Many black wornen, consequently, feel
that they do not have a lot co gain from participating
in n1ainstrea111 fe1ninisn1.
Ecofe minism 146
J.
by Carol A dams
The oppression of won1en is connected to the op
pression of the natural world, and ferniniscs therefore
should be drawn to"vard the animal rights n1ove
n1enc. Furthennore, the world would be better for
everyone if anin1als ,vere not exploited.
The Class Ceiling 152
by Barbara Ehrenreiclt
AJthough in the 1960s n1ost ,.von1en ,,vere united in
having the role of house"vife, a lot of "vornen no,v
have successful, financially rewarding careers of their
o"vn. This has led to greater class inequality a111ong
worn.en, and 1nany traditional feminist issues are be
ing neglected. Feminism should return to its egali
tarian roots.
Chapter 4 •
FEMINIST FRONTIERS:
AMERICAN WOMEN AND THE WORLD
War Against Women 163
by Ginny Ni Car thy
In every country in the world, women are beaten,
attacked and murdered simply because they are
won1en. The roots of this violence lie in women's
subordination to men, and if the violence is to end,
the subordination n1ust also come to an end.
One World Woman's Movement? 172
by Chi/la Bu/beck
Although all women in the world are discriminated
against, the prospect of international feminism is
threatened by the legacy of colonialism and by con
tinuing racism and imperialism. The global feminist
project that has the best chance is one that has a va
riety of aims.
'
Chapter 5 •
PERSONAL NARRATIVES:
VOICES FROM THE VANGUARD
An Opening in History 179
by Phyllis Chesler
It was great to be a fenunist in the early days of
fenunism, experiencing the thrill of possible success.
The heady optinus1n of the early days gave out to
long years of struggles and setbacks. Young feminists
have to be prepared to face difficult challenges.
What Feminism Means to Me 189
by Vivian Gornick
In the early days of feminism, solidarity with other
feminists was rewarding enough. As the moven1ent
beca1ne 1nore fragn1ented, however, it becai.11e hard to
endure the absence of rewarding ro111ance. Although