Betty Friedan
The American writer and activist penned The Feminine Mystique in 1963, which is often credited for sparking the second wave of feminism that began in the '60s and '70s. Friedan spent her life working to establish women's equality, helping to establish the National Women's Political Caucus as well as organizing the Women's Strike For Equality in 1970, which popularized the feminist movement throughout America.
Gloria Steinem
Aptly referred to as the "Mother of Feminism," Gloria Steinem led the women's liberation movements throughout the '60s and '70s—and continues to do so today. Co-founder of the feminist themed Ms. Magazine and several female groups that changed the face of feminism including Women's Action Alliance, National Women's Political Caucus, Women's Media Center and more. All of her efforts led to her induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1993 and in 2013 she was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Steinem continues to be a trailblazer for feminism today, most recently with her Viceland series, WOMAN, and post-election action for young girls and women.
Bell Hooks
The American author was known for her social activism that was often mirrored through her writing of oppression, women's rights and race. Some of bell hooks' most notable works include Ain't I A Woman? Black Women and Feminism and The Feminist Theory in which she declared, "Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression."
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