American feminism has a long and varied history. Movements evolved aimed at establishing and defending equal political, economic, cultural and social rights for women. It questioned women’s social roles and lived experience; it was concerned with equality between men and women and equal opportunities and freedom. In 1945 women relinquished jobs to returning veterans and returned to their roles as housewives, but as more and more women questioned their roles in society, many felt there must be more to life than raising children as an educated housewife. In the sixties, many left established families to seek careers independently.

We saw women go into space, run for Congress, be appointed to the Supreme Court, anchor the news, break Olympic records, be ‘bionic’ women, lead billion-dollar companies, become successful lawyers, doctors, writers, journalists, artists and rock the world with their music and dance.

In the eighties many rejected the idea that having a career was completely satisfying -that raising a family of responsible citizens was equally valuable - and they wanted it all. Women are earning the majority of undergraduate and graduate degrees (60 percent), while at the same time, women make up the majority of the poor in America.

Home or career? Equal rights for women - pay issues - gender equality- the conflict continues...