Module 1: First Wave Feminism

First Wave Feminism, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was primarily focused on securing basic legal rights for women, most notably the right to vote. The movement was sparked by a growing awareness of women's unequal status in society, especially in areas such as suffrage, divorce, and property rights. One of the key events in the history of First Wave Feminism was the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, where activists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott organized the first large-scale gathering advocating for women's rights. The convention resulted in the drafting of the Declaration of Sentiments, a document that called for gender equality in various areas of life, including the right to vote, own property, and seek divorce.

Leading figures of First Wave Feminism, such as Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, worked tirelessly for women's suffrage, believing that securing the right to vote was crucial for achieving broader social and legal equality. As they campaigned, their efforts often intersected with concerns over other aspects of women's legal rights, such as access to divorce, which was heavily restricted during the time. Middle-class women, particularly those from affluent backgrounds, were at the forefront of this movement, First Wave Feminism largely focusedon middle-class needs.  Working-class women, many of whom were employed in factories or as domestic servants, sought a broader definition of women's rights, which would include economic security. Leaders like Mother Jones, who advocated for labor rights and better working conditions, were largely kept out of the movement.

However, the movement was not without its limitations. First Wave Feminism often excluded the voices and concerns of women of color, particularly African American women, and became entangled with racism and nativism. Many white suffragists, including Stanton and Anthony, were reluctant to support black women’s suffrage or to fully address the challenges faced by immigrant women. As the movement grew, these racial tensions became more apparent, leading to divisions within the suffrage movement. While the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920 marked a significant victory for women’s suffrage, it did not fully address the intersectional issues of race, class, and immigration. These gaps would be addressed more fully by later waves of feminism, but First Wave Feminism undeniably laid the groundwork for future activism and the ongoing fight for women’s rights.