Exploring feminism and freedom across borders
What is feminism and liberty?
When individuals talk about feminism, they speak about equality – politically, socially, and economically – for all genders. And when they discuss liberty, they mean the freedom to live, speak, and act without oppression or limitation. Bur what do these ideas truly look like in everyday life, law, and politics?
Having liked in both the United States and France, I’ve noticed that these two powerful notions, liberté and liberty, carry unique meaning shaped by history, society, and culture. On this blog, I’ll explore how feminism and freedom have evolved in these two nations, comparing their paths toward equality and understanding how different cultures approach women’s rights.
In 2017, a simple phrase spread across social media and quickly became one of the most influential social movements of the twenty-first century: #MeToo. While the hashtag gained worldwide attention after numerous allegations of sexual misconduct were made against film producer Harvey Weinstein, the movement itself was not new. It was originally founded in 2006…
As women gained greater access to education and legal rights, attention increasingly turned to equality in the workplace. The ability to vote or participate in public life meant little without fair treatment in employment, where wages, promotions, and opportunities often remained unequal. In response, the United States took a major step forward with the passage…
In 1923, nearly three years after women gained the right to vote, a new proposal emerged to push equality even further: the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). First introduced by activist Alice Paul, the amendment was designed to guarantee that rights could not be denied “on account of sex.” While suffrage had secured political participation, the…
Liberté vs Liberty 