Stockton Celebrates Women's Day

To celebrate women’s history month, activists and authors Amy Richards and Jennifer Baumgardner spoke about the role of feminism in today’s society, and how it has changed since the release of their 2000 book, Manfesta: Young Women, Feminism, and the Future during a presentation at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Tuesday night.

Richards and Baumgardner spoke about three different waves of the feminist movement. The first came in 1848 when women met at the Seneca Falls Convention to define their goal of attaining full citizenship. This goal was not accomplished until 1972 when Congress approved the Equal Rights Amendment. Though it was never ratified, it prompted the second wave—the women’s movement.

“The women’s movement came out of the civil rights movement,” said Baumgardner.

Their presentation emphasized the third wave. One may wonder what the need for a third wave is since women already achieved the right to vote.  

“There’s a challenge to define feminism in our generation, said Baumgardner. “While the first and second waves were more social and political movements, the third wave was more of a social and cultural movement.” 

Baumgardner cited feministic cultural avenues such as women rock bands and Lilith Fair. They also discussed more serious issues. 

“They didn’t have a name for date rape, acquaintance rape or domestic violence before our time,” said Baumgardner. “Once we defined these problems, society was able to create programs to make necessary changes.”

Baumgardner also cited an intergenerational confusion with feminism. While the feminists of the '60s and '70s insisted on wearing leg warmers, subscribing to Ms. Magazine and critiquing Barbie, Baumgardner and Richards over the years slowly started to question why it was so important to take such an extreme stance on the issues.

“Years ago at one lecture, a student asked if she could be pro-life, and a feminist,” said Richards.  “I responded, ‘NO.’”

Richards then changed her position halfway through the lecture after a student gave her a convincing argument.

The role of men in feminism has also shifted.  The speakers contend that the power of a man needs to be shared rather than overtaken. 

“Male CEOs and executives are starting to realize the importance of women in the boardroom,” said Richards. 

The speakers concluded that feminism is an elusive term, and that overanalyzing it is impractical.

“Is Sarah Palin a feminist? Is Lady Gaga a feminist?” said Baumgardner.  “At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter.  What matters is how you define yourself as a feminist, and how we can all start a new revolution.”