Eleanor Roosevelt's Role In Second Wave Feminism

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I chose Second Wave Feminism because I feel this is a movement that not only greatly affects my life today but I know that it played a huge part in gaining independence for my grandmother and my mother.

Feminism didn't arise in the 1960's, it reappeared. This war had been fought, women had been subdued and put back in their place, barefoot and pregnant. Now with a new generation of daughters, women began to rebel again. This time successfully. Women, like my grandmother, had pursued a college education before, during and post World War II and then they went on to get married and have babies, and they were watching as their daughters wholly skipped so much as the college experience, "The proportion of women attending college compared to men …show more content…

Through the National Organization of Women Friedan became a pioneer in Feminism and "advocated for an increased role for women in the political process." (2) Friedan also fought for women's reproductive rights, specifically abortion.

Eleanor Roosevelt took a slightly different role in second wave feminism, instead of the rebelling role that Friedman took on, Roosevelt became the government spokeswoman for feminism. Roosevelt "argued that women must "become more conscious of themselves as women and of their ability to function as a group. At the same time they must try to wipe from men's consciousness the need to consider them as a group or as women in their everyday activities, especially as workers in industry or the professions." (3)

While second wave feminism may be over, the movement for womens rights will never be over, not unless women are over. Women still have to fight on a regular basis against sexism in the work place, the stay-at-home-mom stereotype, a pay gap based on gender, and our right to birth control. Second wave feminism gave women in the 21st century a voice, Friedan taught us that our peers end up with MRS degrees too, and Eleanor Roosevelt taught us that even Madam President won't sit down and take it. We must embrace our femininity and our power to continue this fight for our