First Wave Feminist Movemnt - 2207 Words

First Wave Feminist Movement Introduction Feminism is considered a political concept. It is an analysis of why and how women are oppressed. It is a vision of a society where women are liberated and sex role stereotypes are no more. It is also a conviction that oppression of women is a contradiction in society. Women feminists fought for their right to not be property, rights to their inheritance, rights to an education and to a religion that was not patriarchal. Even though feminism had been seen for quite some time, the actual term feminist was not first used until 1912. The modern feminist movement began a as result of sweeping social, political and industrial changes in Europe and the United†¦show more content†¦The women were also not content with men making all of the decisions, in all aspects. Women wanted to be included in positions of decision-making. The beginning of the women movement in America can be marked by the Seneca Falls Convention in July 1848 (DeFonza). Abolition and Suffrage Aligns Although the alignment was difficult at first, black and white women formed bonds in the 20th century. They had a common goal of equality for all women. Women of color continued to participate and representatives such as Ida B. Wells and Mary Church Terrell also strove to show how the linkage of sexism and racism functioned as the main means of white male dominance (Krolokke, 4). The first wave of feminism grew out of the major reform movement, abolitionism (DuBois). The women working in abolition found that they were not allowed to fully and equally participate in the decision making processes of the movement. In 1869, the Suffrage movement split into two factions. One was the National Woman Suffrage Association, which was more radical and would not compromise on the issue of black mens suffrage; meaning that both men and women should be granted suffrage at the same time. It was seen that the best way to get the vote would be through a constitu tional amendment. The other was the American Woman