First Wave Feminism (Suffragette Movement)

About

First-wave feminism, also known as the Suffragette Movement, was a pivotal social and political movement that occurred primarily in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It focused on securing women's legal rights, particularly the right to vote. Influenced by early feminist thinkers like Mary Wollstonecraft, key figures such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott spearheaded the movement. The Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 was a landmark event, where the Declaration of Sentiments was drafted, outlining grievances and demands for women's equality. The movement achieved significant milestones, including the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, granting women the right to vote. Similar victories were seen in other countries, such as the UK's Equal Franchise Act of 1928. Despite these successes, first-wave feminism faced criticisms for its focus on white women's rights and limited inclusivity. The movement laid the groundwork for subsequent feminist waves, which expanded to address broader issues like reproductive rights and workplace equality. Overall, first-wave feminism marked a crucial step toward gender equality, emphasizing women's political participation and legal recognition.