Many would argue that the feminist movement in America was born in 1848 at the famous Seneca Falls Convention, where women’s suffrage was discussed. Thus began the long fight for equality and fair treatment for women that we call feminism. This movement has grown and changed drastically over the years, and looking forwards to the future, it’s exciting to imagine where the feminist movement could go and what change will be made.
When looking over the history of the feminism movement, especially in America, it becomes clear that the movement was never solely about equality for women, there are so many other social issues that have become a part of the fight. For example, first wave feminists were also predominately abolitionists, fighting for the rights of women and enslaved people.
Chair of the history department and associate professor of american history, Rebecca Scofield, explained how the feminist movement has always been grounded in civil rights and race issues, “I think sometimes we talk about feminism, and we forget how intimately tied to race it is.”
After the first wave and women’s suffrage was achieved, a second wave of feminism emerged, one that was tied closely with the civil rights movement. Women of color felt as if they were second class citizens in the fight for Civil Rights, leading to a renewal of the push for women’s rights in general.
“Second wave feminism in a lot of ways was just, once again, coming to terms with those understandings of what it meant to be women based on class and race,” Scofield said.
And this foundation of feminism in issues of race and inequality is still a major factor today. Equality was not fully achieved after the civil rights movement, neither for americans of color nor women. And these issues are a central focus of the feminist movement of today.
Kathryn Blevins, assistant professor of journalism and multimedia, and co-director of gender and women’s studies, said, “Feminism is inextricably linked to issues of race and sexuality, but also immigration, labor, and wage. This has always been true, but I think it’s much more public facing now.”
This is not just about women’s rights; feminism has historically been about the rights of everyone. When women are not treated with equality, the entire society suffers.
“How do we make progress as a society”, Blevins said, “it’s not by leaving people behind, it’s by bringing everyone forward.”
And the feminism of today emphasizes and empowers those who are suffering under injustice and inequality. Especially the inequality within the feminist movement itself.
Director of UI’s Women’s Center, Lysa Salsbury, said, “In the fourth wave of feminism, there seems to be more intentionality around decentering the voices of white women in the feminist movement and amplifying the voices of women of color.”
The feminism of today seems to be shifting focus from solely the needs of white women, and expanding to the inequity regarding women of color, and non-binary individuals. Feminists are recognizing the sufferings of some of the minority groups in the moving and starting to put their voices first.
“I think the voices of women of color in the feminist movement are starting to come to the forefront in a way that they had previously been silenced”, Salsbury said.
As the feminism of today has redefined itself, and changed to fit the current social climate, the perception of feminism by the general population has shifted. It is no longer such a taboo word in most circles, for the majority of America the idea that women can do everything a man can is a widely accepted belief, the negative connotation of the movement is less prevalent.
“Formerly feminism was seen as a very radical label”, Salsbury said. “So, I think maybe now people understand that its purpose is not bring other identity groups down, but rather lift everyone up together.”
Another clear indicator of this shift in public perception over the years, is the gradual increase of women being elected to positions of power in this country. There are currently 145 women holding positions in Congress as of this year, which is the highest it has ever been.
“For people to actually be voting women into public office shows that there is a change in perspective,” Salsbury said.
Many feminists are hopeful that more public support will allow for more change to be made and hope that the change of public perception will lead to more direct action being taken, especially in the form of laws and regulations.
“I hope to see that forward progression,” Blevins said, “Where we see not just widespread support for intersectional identity, but hopefully we’ll start seeing that reflected in laws and other However, it is also possible that as many women are narrowing their focus to more specific issues, such as reproductive rights, the movement could begin to split in the future.
“I think that the bifurcation around individual issues is going to continue,” Scofield said, “I see feminism being taken in directions of single issues…the things dividing the nation I think will begin to divide women who identify as feminists.”
Whether or not the movement will become more or less united in the future, it’s possible that feminism could begin to shift in many differing directions. Attempting to tackle many different issues all at the same time.
Other feminists envision the future of feminism as a movement that values and empowers the voices of everyone, especially those who were historically silenced.
“My hope is that there’s a broader and more widespread understanding of the ways that our different social identities impact our experiences – particularly women of color and non-binary individuals,” Salsbury said.
If we want to see this feminist vision of the future come to fruition, many say it will take a lot of work and support. Education plays a huge role making change and shifting the perceptions of the public, and there are many resources even on this campus that are forwarding the feminist movement here in Idaho. One such resource being the Women’s center.
“(the center) works towards feminist goals in pretty much everything we do,” Salsbury said.
This center is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and it has been a powerful force for equity and justice on the UI campus.
Grace Giger can be reached at [email protected].