How Feminism Changed the World

On March 5, 2011, the National Post ran an article, How Feminism Changed the World, by Robert Fulford. The article begins with a few paragraphs that describe how profoundly feminism has impacted Western nations. Upon reading this, I couldn’t help but feel proud to be part of a movement that has done so much for so many people.

It is easy to forget how much feminists have accomplished because our ideas are scorned, we’re brushed off as radicals, we’re told no one cares about feminism and our long list of successes is rarely celebrated. So, I wanted to share these few paragraphs to remind all the awesome feminist ladies (and men) out there that we have accomplished much in a relatively short period of time. [Feminist high five!]

Feminists have fundamentally changed society throughout the democracies of the West... and changed it much for the better. Around 1970 the “second wave” of feminism took hold, so named in deference to the “first wave” suffragist campaigns that flourished a century ago. At first, the second wave seemed merely a footnote to what women had already gained. Instead, it proved far more significant than its historic predecessor. It transformed the texture of society, leaving no corner untouched. It altered all our means of expression, from the tone of public media to the style of private speech.

Some organized attempts to improve the lot of humanity claim limited victories; others do more harm than good. Only feminism can claim to have broadened, permanently, the lives of half the humans in the West. Its success, based on earnest arguments and improvised political strategies, is without parallel in the last century. Nothing since the Industrial Revolution has done so much to expand opportunity.

Feminism has altered a whole culture’s ideal version of sexual roles. It has changed the professions, most strikingly medicine and law. It has affected how children are raised, how the law deals with domestic life, how corporations and public institutions are staffed.

In short, feminism is fucking awesome! To read the full article, click here.