A New England Nun1

The American feminist movement in the 1960s was a struggle for women’s rights and freedom. It attempted to shatter the various traditional ideals that sustained the oppression of women and kept them in a subordinate position. Although the historical movement did not take shape until after the mid 20th century, the foundation for this struggle was evident long before. One place in which it is exhibited is in Mary Wilkins Freeman’s 1891 progressive and …

…women from mainstream society’s traditional ideals of womanhood and autonomy. Through Louisa, Freeman shows that women can successfully perform the dualistic task of maintaining certain customary beliefs and expectations as well as form an individualistic identity. Although the importance of her progressive ideas were not fully accepted and realized at the time, it will latter go on to help inspire future feminist leaders, such as Betty Friedan, and the feminist movement in the 1960s.