On this week’s UpLift Women’s Wellness Podcast, Auria and I sat down with Isabelle — a history and psychology teacher who knows how to make the past feel uncomfortably relevant. Together, we unpacked the history of feminism, why the word still feels taboo, and what it means for women, men, and non‑binary communities today.
🌿 Defining Feminism
Isabelle reminded us that feminism at its core is simple: political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. That’s not just women — it’s everyone. And at its heart, feminism is about choice. Whether you’re a stay‑at‑home mom, a CEO, or both, feminism says you get to decide.
We also dug into the paradox: 80% of Americans agree on gender equality, but only 25% call themselves feminists. Why? Because the word has been dragged through the mud by those in power who fear losing it.
👉 Explore how we apply this philosophy in Strength Coaching and Therapy with Auria.
💪 The Waves of Feminism
Isabelle walked us through the waves:
First Wave: Suffrage and the 19th Amendment.
Second Wave: Economic and social rights, sparked by The Feminine Mystique.
Third & Fourth Waves: Messier, intersectional, and inclusive of trans and non‑binary voices.
Each wave expanded the fight, but also revealed blind spots — especially around race, class, and inclusivity.
👉 Our Rooted in Strength™ program takes the same approach: blending science with lived experience, and refusing to ignore the voices wellness usually overlooks.
⚖️ Laws That Restricted Women’s Rights
We talked about laws that claimed to “protect” women but actually caged them. Jury duty exemptions, work‑hour restrictions, and occupational barriers all reinforced the idea that women were too “delicate” for civic or professional life.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg said it best: “That pedestal you put me on is actually a cage.”
👉 Our Philosophy is built on dismantling cages — whether they’re legal, cultural, or hidden in wellness spaces.
🌍 The Modern State of Feminism
Gen Z Men Alienation: Fewer young men identify as feminists, and online groups like incels weaponize that gap.
Persistent Inequalities: Motherhood, home responsibilities, and career expectations still echo the struggles of earlier waves.
Benefits for Men: Feminism frees men too — from the crushing expectation to be sole providers.
Moving Forward: Inclusion of trans and non‑binary voices isn’t optional. It’s the future.
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🛒 Support the Movement
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🌿 Bottom line: Feminism isn’t just history. It’s choice, inclusion, and the fight against cages — in politics, in culture, and in wellness.
🎧 Episode Show Notes
Episode: Feminism’s Past & Present: From First Vote to Future Hope
Guests: Isabelle Comtois
Hosts: Bethany & Auria
Key Discussion PointsWhat is Feminism?
Basic Definition: The theory of political, economic, and social equality of the sexes, which ultimately means equality for all people (men, women, trans, non-binary, etc.).
Core Concept: Isabelle emphasizes that feminism, at its heart, is about choice—supporting a woman's choice whether she wants to be a stay-at-home mother, a CEO, or both.
The "Taboo" Word: Discusses why the term "feminism" has become controversial, despite a high percentage of Americans supporting gender equality. The negative rhetoric is often fueled by those in power who fear losing influence.
The Waves of FeminismThe women's rights movement is divided into historical "waves" in American history:
First Wave (1800s - 1920s):
Main Goal: Women's suffrage (the right to vote).
Key Event: The passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, officially granting women the right to vote.
Context: Sparked partly by the interpretation of the 15th Amendment (giving newly freed slaves the right to vote) which was interpreted to only apply to men. The movement gained momentum after women's patriotic and important participation in World War I.
Second Wave (1950s - 1980s):
Main Goals: Broader focus including economic, social, and political rights, encouraging women into leadership roles, and granting women more independence in marriage.
Key Catalyst: The publication of The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan (1963), which outlined "the problem that has no name"—the secret unhappiness of many middle-class wives and mothers who were restricted to domestic roles.
Criticism: The movement faced criticism for being too focused on the experiences of middle-class white women, overlooking the struggles of minority women who often had to work.
Third and Fourth Waves (Post-1980s to Present):
Focus: Trying to fix the issues of the second wave by emphasizing intersectional feminism—understanding that women's experiences differ based on race, disability, sexual orientation, and other factors.
Complexity: These waves are "messier" due to the wide variety of topics and goals, from domestic violence to supporting sex workers and including trans and non-binary voices.
Laws Intended to "Protect" Women
Isabelle references a Ruth Bader Ginsburg quote: "That pedestal you put me on is actually a cage."
Jury Duty Exemption: In the 1900s, women were often exempted from jury duty, supposedly to protect them from "filthy or sordid" evidence, which ultimately excluded them from civic participation.
Working Hours: Laws limiting working hours (like a 40-hour work week) were first established for women, supposedly to protect their "delicate" nature from exploitation. This ultimately paved the way for better workers' rights for men as well.
Occupational Restrictions: Laws restricting women from certain night roles (like night-shift pharmacists) were ultimately a way to protect those roles for men, leading to a gender pay gap by limiting women's opportunities for promotion.
Modern Challenges and Observations
Gender Gap in Feminism: The statistic that a higher percentage of Millennial men identify as feminists (52%) compared to Gen Z men (43%) is an alarming trend, suggesting a resurgence of anti-women's rights sentiment among younger men.
The Incel Movement: Discusses the rhetoric of "incels" (involuntarily celibate), which is online and woman-hating, as a scary example of men taking "zero responsibility" for their lives and blaming women for their unhappiness.
The "Trad Wife" Trend: Challenges the idea that the "trad wife" trend—where women align with conservative roles—is inherently beneficial, pointing out that shaming women who choose careers or other paths is where the line must be drawn.
Career Choice Disparity: Mentions a study where women overwhelmingly pick majors they are interested in, while men overwhelmingly pick majors that will make money, highlighting that feminism should also benefit men by taking the sole financial pressure off them.
Persistence of Issues: Many societal expectations and challenges discussed from the first and second waves, particularly around responsibilities and societal pressures on mothers, are still prevalent today.
