The feminist movement has come a long way since its inception in the early days of the 20th century. What started as a struggle for equal rights for women has evolved into a fight for human rights for all people, regardless of gender, race, or economic status. In order to understand how the feminist movement came about, it is necessary to understand the historical context in which it began. 

The feminist movement began in the late 18th century and has since been divided into three main "waves." The first wave of feminism focused on securing women's right to vote. The second wave, which took place in the 1960s and 1970s, focused on combating sexism and promoting gender equality in all aspects of life. The third wave, which began in the early 1990s, is still ongoing and has expanded the feminist movement to include intersectionality—the acknowledgment of the fact that different forms of oppression (e.g., racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia) often overlap and contribute to each other. 

The first wave of the feminist movement was marked by a struggle for equal rights for women. This struggle was sparked by a number of factors, including the Industrial Revolution and the rise of capitalism. As more and more women entered the workforce, they began to realize that they were not being treated as equals to their male counterparts. This led to the formation of organizations such as the National American Woman Suffrage Association, which fought for women's right to vote. 

During the first half of the 20th century, the feminist movement made significant progress in terms of achieving equality for women. In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed, granting women the right to vote. 

In 1963, Betty Friedan published The Feminine Mystique, which is widely considered to be one of the most important books ever written about feminism. This book kicked off what is known as "second-wave feminism," which focused on issues such as reproductive rights and equal opportunities for women in the workforce. 

The feminist movement continued to grow in strength and numbers throughout the late 20th century and into the 21st century. The third wave, which began in the early 1990s, is still ongoing and has expanded the feminist movement to include intersectionality—the acknowledgment of the fact that different forms of oppression (e.g., racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia) often overlap and contribute to each other.

In 1992, Anita Hill accused then-Supreme Court nominee, Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment, bringing national attention to the issue of workplace sexual harassment. In 2009, Barack Obama became the first U.S. president to appoint two female Supreme Court justices: Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. And in 2017, millions of people around the world marched in support of gender equality during "A Day Without A Woman" protests. 

The feminist movement has come a long way since its humble beginnings in early 20th-century America. What started as a fight for equal rights has evolved into a battle for human rights; a battle that is being waged by people of all genders, races, and economic backgrounds. We still have a long way to go, but there is no doubt that progress has been made.

How do we continue to make progress? In order to continue making progress toward equality for women, we must take a multifaceted approach. We must be aware that the battle against injustice goes beyond the physical realm and into the spiritual (see Ephesians 6:10-18). We must become more educated about feminism and share our knowledge with our daughters and sons. Furthermore, we must tell stories of the brave women who fought tirelessly for women's rights, inspiring future generations to carry on this important work.

What do you think we can do to accelerate this progress? How can you get involved in the feminist movement? Send me a message to share your thoughts!