Redstockings facts for kids
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| Predecessor | New York Radical Women |
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| Formation | January 1969 |
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| Founded at | New York City |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Headquarters | New York City |
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Redstockings, also known as Redstockings of the Women's Liberation Movement, is a radical feminist group that started in New York City in 1969. Their goal was to fight for women's rights and equality.
The group's name is a clever mix of two words. It comes from bluestocking, an old term for smart, educated women, and red, a color linked with revolutionary ideas.
Contents
History of the Group
How Redstockings Began
Redstockings was founded by Ellen Willis and Shulamith Firestone in January 1969. They started the group after another one, called New York Radical Women, broke up. Other important early members included Kathie Sarachild and Alix Kates Shulman.
The group was most active in New York City and later in Gainesville, Florida. For a short time, there was also a group called Redstockings West in San Francisco, but it was separate from the New York group. Redstockings went through periods of being very active and then quiet. They first split up in 1970 but came back together in 1973.
Famous Protests and Actions
Redstockings became known for their bold and creative protests. They wanted to draw attention to issues that were important to women.
One of their first major actions was in February 1969. They interrupted a government hearing in New York.
A month later, Redstockings held their own event, which they called a "speakout." At a church in New York City, twelve women stood up and shared their personal stories. This was a powerful way to show how the laws affected real people. One person in the audience was Gloria Steinem, who later became a famous feminist leader. She said this event was a turning point for her.
The group continued to use "speakouts" and street performances to protest. Their style of protest inspired other groups in later years.
Redstockings in Later Years
In 1989, Redstockings held another speakout to mark the 20th anniversary of their first one. They continued to discuss women's rights and experiences.
More recently, the group has focused on preserving the history of the women's liberation movement. They run a project called the Women's Liberation Archives for Action. This project makes important historical papers and writings available to the public. In 2001, they published a book called Confronting the Myth of America: Women's Liberation and National Health Care. As of 2006, the group is still active online.
Core Beliefs and Ideas
Redstockings had a unique set of ideas that shaped their activism. They were considered "radical" because they wanted big, fundamental changes in society, not just small reforms.
Consciousness-Raising
A key practice for Redstockings was "consciousness-raising." This involved small groups of women getting together to share their personal experiences. By talking to each other, they realized that many of their problems were not just personal failings. Instead, they were caused by a wider system of inequality. This helped them understand the idea that "the personal is political," meaning personal problems are often connected to bigger social and political issues.
The "Pro-Woman Line"
Redstockings promoted an idea they called the "Pro-Woman Line." Some people believed that women were "brainwashed" into accepting unfair treatment. Redstockings disagreed. They argued that women were not brainwashed. Instead, they said women made conscious choices to adapt and survive in a society where men held most of the power.
They believed that all men benefited from this system, which they called patriarchy or "male supremacy." They felt it was the job of men to recognize this and give up their unfair advantages.
Views on Other Movements
Redstockings had complex relationships with other feminist groups. They were critical of groups like the National Organization for Women (NOW). They felt these groups focused too much on changing laws without challenging the power imbalances in everyday life.
While influenced by the ideas of Marxism, they also disagreed with socialist feminism. They believed that the fight for women's liberation should not be secondary to the fight against economic inequality.
Redstockings also had views that were criticized by others. They believed that relationships with men were an important place to fight for equality. For this reason, they disagreed with feminist groups that promoted separating from men. They also held controversial views on gay rights movements, which they saw as a rejection of women.
Important Writings
Redstockings shared their ideas through powerful essays and articles. Two of their most famous works are "The Redstockings Manifesto" and "The Politics of Housework."
The Redstockings Manifesto
The "Manifesto" was a short document that laid out the group's main beliefs. It stated that women were an "oppressed class" and that "male supremacy" was the oldest form of domination. It called on women to develop "class consciousness" by sharing their experiences. The Manifesto ends with a call for women to unite and demand their freedom.
The Politics of Housework
Written by member Pat Mainardi, this essay talked about the unfair division of chores in the home. It used humor and personal stories to show how housework was a political issue, not just a personal problem. It became a very popular and influential piece of writing in the women's movement.
Both of these essays were included in the famous 1970 book Sisterhood Is Powerful.
See also
In Spanish: Redstockings para niños
- Radicalesbians
- SCUM Manifesto
- Valerie Solanas
- Red Stocking Movement (Denmark)
- Women's International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell
