Veteran Feminists of America facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | VFA |
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| Formation | 1992 |
| Founder | Jacqueline Ceballos |
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Key people
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Eleanor Pam, President Muriel Fox, Chair of the Board |
Veteran Feminists of America (VFA) is a group for people who were part of or support the second-wave feminist movement. This important period in history focused on gaining more equality for women. The VFA was started in 1992 by Jacqueline Ceballos. The group holds events to celebrate the leaders of this movement and to remember their achievements.
Contents
What is Second-Wave Feminism?
The "second wave" of feminism was a major push for women's rights that happened mostly in the 1960s and 1970s. The "first wave" in the 1800s and early 1900s focused on getting women the right to vote. The second wave worked on a wider range of issues. These included equal pay for equal work, fairness in education, and more control over their own lives. The members of the VFA are considered "veterans" because they were on the front lines of this fight for equality.
History of the VFA
After holding a reunion for feminists in 1992, Jacqueline Ceballos decided to create a permanent organization. She worked with Dorothy Senerchia and Mary Jean Tully to get it started. Soon after, Muriel Fox joined and has been a key leader since 1994.
The founders first thought of calling the group "Veterans of Feminist Wars." However, they changed it to avoid confusion with another group, the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In 2006, the VFA helped publish a special book called Feminists Who Changed America: 1963-1975. It was put together by board member Barbara Love. The book tells the life stories of over 2,200 women who made a big difference during the second-wave feminist movement.
The VFA's Mission
The main goal of the Veteran Feminists of America is to remember and share the history of the women's movement. They want to make sure everyone knows about the amazing things these women did.
What are the VFA's goals?
- Honor and Record History: The VFA works to save the stories and accomplishments of the women who led the feminist movement.
- Educate the Public: They teach people why the changes made by the women's movement are so important for society.
- Inspire Future Generations: By sharing these stories, the VFA hopes to encourage young people to continue working for equality.
A big part of this work is the Pioneer Histories Project. For this project, the VFA interviews hundreds of feminist activists to record their personal stories. This helps preserve history from the people who lived it.
Celebrating Feminist Leaders
The VFA has hosted many events to honor the pioneers of second-wave feminism. These events celebrate the lives and work of important figures who fought for women's rights. Videos from these events are saved in major libraries, like those at Radcliffe and Duke University. This ensures their stories will not be forgotten.
Some of the famous feminists honored at VFA events include:
- Congresswoman Bella Abzug: A politician who fought for women's rights in the U.S. Congress.
- Betty Friedan: An author whose book The Feminine Mystique helped start the second-wave movement. The VFA held an event for what would have been her 100th birthday in 2021.
- Gloria Steinem: A famous journalist and activist who became one of the most well-known faces of the movement.
- Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A lawyer and judge who argued for gender equality in many important court cases.
- Kate Millett: An influential writer and artist whose work challenged ideas about women's roles in society.
The VFA also celebrates artists, authors, lawyers, and activists from all over the country who have contributed to the cause of women's equality.
See also
- List of feminists
- List of women's rights activists
- List of women's rights organizations
