1st Wave Feminism
First wave feminism is commonly associated with women's suffrage and legal rights as well as female inclusion in politics. The earliest days of first wave feminism begin with the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 in which the spark for women's rights was ignited and the movement officially began.
During the Seneca Falls Convention, there was mutual support in rallying for "votes for women", which soon became the tagline for the first wave focus, women's suffrage. Women's suffrage became wildly popular and parades were held to gain momentum for the proposed 19th Amendment which would eventually be ratified in 1920, allowing women the right to vote. The item above captures a moment from the suffrage parade in which women marched for their right to vote, coming from all across the country.
It is important to note the famous women who aided in the progression of first wave feminism and the 19th amendment such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony who were responsible for forming the National Women's Suffrage Association. However, there are other women who did not receive as much attention such as "Mrs. Weller" (pictured left) the NWSA representative for Arizona suffragettes, and Frances Munds (pictured right), who pushed heavily for women's voting rights after being elected to the Arizona senate in 1914.
Unfortunately, the first wave of feminism carried a heavy spotlight on white women of the upper or middle class and left other groups of women unaccounted, however a new wave of feminism was on the horizon as the mid-century approached...