In-Depth Notes on Second Wave Feminism in Canada

Class 15: Actions for Equality: Second Wave Feminism

Defining Second Wave Feminism

• Time Period: Activism generally categorized in the 1960s and 1970s.
• International Reach: Notable visible activism worldwide, with Canada being a key player.
• Diverse Organizations: Reflects the diversity of women involved in the movement.
• Terminology: Known variably as the women's rights movement or women's liberation.

Understanding the Waves of Feminism

• Wave Metaphor: Represents distinct eras in feminist activism.
  • Suggests that activism can be both separate and interconnected, akin to ocean waves.
• Foundation Building: Second wave feminism had its roots in earlier activism, informing strategies and challenges.

Historical Background: Suffrage as First Wave Feminism

• Suffrage Focus: The first wave aimed at legal, property, and legislative rights for women.
• Diversity in Experience: Different women perceived and experienced suffrage in varied ways, influenced by race and class.
• Connection to Racism and Abolition: Foundational strategies from Black women galvanized later suffrage movements.
• Second Wave Response: Women responded to shared discrimination experiences, shaped by intersecting identities.

In-Between Movements: Winnipeg General Strike

• Role of Women: Participation in labor unions, evident through groups like the Women's Labor League.
• Helen Armstrong: A key figure associated with the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919.
• Significance of Strike: Marked a critical point in Canadian labor history, showcasing women's activism.

The Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF)

• Founding Context: Established in response to economic depression, promoting social change.
• Laura Jamieson: Elected in 1941, exemplifying active feminist political engagement.

Intergenerational Feminist Activism

• Knowledge Transfer: Second wave feminism includes strategies and wisdom shared across generations of activists.

The Second Wave's Beginnings

• Challenges in the 1940s: Many women faced difficulties conforming to social norms of being 'perfect wives' and mothers post-WWII.
• Influence of Betty Friedan: "The Feminine Mystique" (1963) highlighted the dissatisfaction among suburban housewives, coining "The Problem That Has No Name."

Consciousness Raising Groups

• Solidarity Building: Essential for feminist activism to foster communal understanding and sharing of experiences.
• Influence of Civil Rights Movement: Adapted methodologies from Black women’s activism became an organizing tool for feminists.

Young Women & University Activism

• Increase in Enrollment: Post-WWII rise in women attending universities, leading to greater political and social engagement.
• Activism Focus: Women students involved in broader radical movements (e.g., anti-war, civil rights).

Activists Working Within Power Structures

• Royal Commission on the Status of Women (RCSW): Formed due to coordinated advocacy efforts for women's issues in the 1960s.
• Public Participation: The commission gathered testimonials from women to inform policy and legislative changes.

After the RCSW Report

• Recommendations: RCSW issued 167 recommendations aimed at improving women’s equity in Canada.
• Provincial Action Committees: Nationwide response led to the establishment of committees to implement RCSW's proposals.

Activists Working Outside Power Structures

• Vancouver Women’s Caucus (VWC): An early example of a grassroots feminist group committed to direct action and advocacy.
• Abortion Caravan: Pivotal in advocating for reproductive rights and the need for accessible abortion services, showcasing civil disobedience tactics in activism.

Key Takeaways

• Secondary Wave Dynamics: Reflects intense activism against the oppression and subordination of women.
• Diverse Strategies: Activists operated within and challenged established systems, demonstrating the movement's varied tactics.
• Grassroots Influence: Acknowledge that grassroots activism is crucial for capturing the diverse voices within the women's movement and driving impactful changes.