When the Sexual Revolution of 1960s and 70s came it brought with it Second Wave Feminism, which emphasized access to birth control, promoting healthy, consensual and pleasurable sexual relationships, fighting sexual objectification, and legalizing safe abortion on the shoulders of Roe vs Wade. It was, above all, a fight to be empowered over ones body and reproductive health. While larger issues like employment and equal power and representation were also topics for burgeoning feminists, it was a very different world than today; only 30% of women worked in 1970, compared to double that number, 60%, working in 2009, and that increase has made all the difference. The emphasis of the feminist of yonder years was an essential one, but one more limited to fighting for control over the physical. While the fight for sexual freedom and safety is still far from over (rape, objectification, sexism, guiltless access to birth control and slut shaming are still rampant), it could be argued that the fight for today's modern feminist has moved from the battlegrounds of the body to the trenches of the mind.Today's modern feminist isn't burning bras as much as she is silently and swiftly asserting herself as intelligent and capable. More women have obtained college degrees than men, are (slowly) moving into non-traditional gender roles like engineering, or as the family breadwinner, make up more than half of the workforce, and are increasingly taking the role of the financial decision maker in their families. Michael Kimmel, the executive director of the Center of the Study for Men and Masculinity at Stony Brook, perhaps said it best, "women have said, 'Wait a minute, we are competent and assertive and ambitious,'" and have claimed more, and a wider range, of roles. Once virtually impossible, young women are now eyeing the role of COO as a position that is actually obtainable to them (and one day, maybe CEO). It might not be protesting in the street, but it is truly revolutionary; roles like being a business mogul, a tech guru, a successful comedian, a COO or Secretary of State have all been shuttered to women in the past. But on the shoulders of the Sheryl Sandberg's, Hilary's, Beyonce's, the women of Silicon Valley and startups, the Amy Poehler's and Tina Fey's, women are creating a world where seeing is believing. However, before we're too optimistic, it should be noted that these women tend to be the exception rather than the rule. It is, however, an important step, as this "seeing" is essential to encourage more women fill the gender gap in themselves, by moving into more "male occupations," not letting the fear of failure keep them from moving up, or being afraid to ask for raises or negotiate salaries. It could be argued that the greatest challenge for a woman today is not simply discrimination from others keeping her out, but internalizing discrimination and having it stop her before she even begins her climb.
Women like these acknowledge they are feminist, but don't make it their sole identity or raison d'être. They are much more complex than that; above all else, they are (female) leaders. They aren't the activists of yesteryear, in that their activism comes more strongly through their personal triumphs than from protest signs. And in doing so, they bring an understated and essential change to the dialogue around these professions and gender roles. Sandberg and the Girl Scouts of America recently teamed up with other powerful females to "Ban Bossy," and the stigma surrounding young girls who try to lead. Pantene took a similar stance, encouraging women to not let labels hold them back from being the boss. But the message of leadership isn't confined to pep talks and pride statements; the idea of embracing yourself as intelligent, in control human being that happens to be a woman is noticeably permeating society as the new Girl Power! These successful women are changing the roles we attribute to women, and in the process, changing the conversation and the way we respect and value a woman. For clothing brand and online retailer Betabrands, each model in their new campaign is a woman with Ph.D., not a professional model. Children's toy Goldieblox blew up the Superbowl with an empowering ad for girls, that encourages them to use their hands and their brains, and not feel limited to Princess culture. Amy Poehler's Smart Girls YouTube channel encourages girls to be just that, giving them advice and encouragement to be empowered. LeanIn.org has teamed up with Getty to change how women are depicted in stock images--from stereotypical harried mom or sexy secretary--to more accurate depictions imperfectly wonderful, ambitious women. By changing the imagery of women and where their value lies, we bring the conversation of women's right and equality from a discussion about sex inferiority/superiority of a sex to the importance of the self; ones intelligence, leadership and larger identity. In doing so, we define women as more than just their attractiveness, their bodies, their sex organs, and their stereotypes. To create a world of sexual equality, the modern feminist must continue to direct society to place greater importance on triumphs of the mind over the body or sex as what defines women.
Alone, none of these actions may seem significant, but together, they are the undercurrents of a revolution to the idea of what women are, and are capable of, through action and visibility. Being a feminist is not a political identification or dirty word, it is the byproduct of living to your highest potential. A feminist today is a working mother who wants it all. A girl who opens her own etsy shop. A student that runs for ASB President. With the discussion being on leading instead of wrestling or asking for power or autonomy, the value of a woman is placed where it belongs and the road to empowerment and egalitarianism feels more true and palatable for that 72%.
