Injustices faced by mothers in unhappy marriages

Fought for her 3 sons abducted by her husband

Led to the Infant custody act(1839) - allowed wives of good character have custody of children under 7 and access to their older children

London, England

Demonstrated women's active role in political change alongside men.

Forced King Louis XVI and his family to move from Versailles to the Tuileries Palace in Paris.

Inspired the actions of first wave feminism - radical movements of women

Insisting that the nations of Europe would be spared future wars only when women had the right to vote.

Formed by Emmeline Pankhurst

Use of direct action and violence

1908 demonstrations in London attended by over 300,000

This amendment secured the right of women of legal majority to apply and also granted a permit to work within all guild professions, handicrafts and trades without having to meet the standard requirements applied to male applicants

Same independent professional opportunities available to men

Halted the feminist and women's rights movements

However, there was a transformation of gender roles across Europe, which for many women was a moment of liberation

Taking on men's work in defence industries, tending to broken soldiers as nurses

In Russia, women were participants of combat, Maria Bochkareva being the most famous, the first Russian woman to command a military unit

Caine, B & Sluga, G 2000, Gendering European history. Leicester University Press, London UK.

Highlighted how historically women have been treated as second to men - they have been 'othered'

Set the tone for the next surges of feminist action, inspiring women to question established gender roles and their treatment in society

In major European cities, there was a shift during the 'roaring 20s' - a change in fashion and hair

However, the modern independent woman was still a minority

There was still a need for feminist activism and pressure across Europe; new questions arose about how other rights could be achieved. Also, how women can enter the political sphere now that they have the vote.

New international association

Founded after a conference in Berlin

Emerged after many countries had female suffrage - now they could focus on a wider range of issues.

During WW1, women occupied traditionally 'male' jobs; therefore, after the war, it put a new focus on women's employment and their rights as workers.

Its goal was the economic emancipation of women; the pressure group focused on employment and financial inequality.

Opposing the exclusion of married women from the world of work and the limiting of women's workdays.

Landmark feminist essay

Historical analysis of women's exclusion from literature

Virginia Woolf was a pioneer of feminism, a strong advocate for gender equality, she pushed boundaries using literature.

Woolf was a critic of male-dominated literature; she said that finding a female author on a bookshelf was near impossible. It denied women the opportunity for their voices and opinions to reach the masses.

' Intersectionality is a lens through which you can see where power comes and collides, where it interlocks and intersects. It’s not simply that there’s a race problem here, a gender problem, and a class or LGBTQ problem there. Many times that framework erases what happens to people who are subject to all of these things.' - Crenshaw, 2017.

Although she was an American author, her work had an impact globally.

She highlighted the importance of recognising overlapping forms of discrimination, such as her struggles of being black and a woman. This struggle is outside the traditional understanding of racism and sexism.

Her work is an important pillar in the development of feminism

In the second wave of feminism, there was a greater emphasis on Black feminism, accompanied by an increase in Black women-led groups. This was especially seen in the UK.

OWAAD was part of a larger movement of black and Asian feminists

They took an intersectional approach, arguing that racism and sexism are interlinked, and the experience of Women of colour is different and not mentioned enough in the feminist movement

Participated in campaigns and initiatives, plus inspired other movements and women.

After a long fight for female suffrage - they didnt get the vote after WW1, like many other countries, due to fears they would vote as the preists told them, this would constitute a threat to the constitutional republican order

Hubertine Auclert was a leading French feminist, suffragist, and founder in 1876 of the Société le Suffrage des Femmes (Women’s Suffrage Society) in 1883.

Sweden wins the first Euros

The official beginning of a structured, pan-European women's national team tournament of UEFA.

Major turning point for women's sport - women's football was banned for over 50 years in England due to its popularity - players across Europe fought the ban, not allowing football to be male-dominated anymore.

Although there was a lack of coverage and low attendance, it laid the foundation for its future growth.

Inspired many young women and was a significant step forward for women's sport, contributing to its popularity today. 45+ million people watched the 2025 Euro final.

An international treaty designed to protect human rights and freedom in Europe

Rights must be secured without discrimination on any ground - including sex

Important as it requires states to take measures for women's safety and rights - continent-wide reform

However, many feminist scholars argue that this does not challenge the structural and historical disadvantages women face

A political and social movement - emerged as a part of the 2nd wave of feminism

A radical feminist movement focused on direct action

Focus on sexual liberation, gender roles and economic independence

Breakaway from the male-dominated leftist groups - women forming their own autonomous groups

Challenging sexism and redefining women's roles in society.

In almost all Western European countries, liberationists fought for the elimination of barriers to unrestricted access to contraception and abortions.

The 1970s saw the founding of important feminist groups in Rome - Rivolta Femminile (Women's Revolt)

Founded by Carla Lonzi, Carla Accardi, and Elvira Banotti.

Demonstrations of over 50,000

Feminist groups tried to change the tide of collective socio-political consciousness, focusing on challenging male dominance and abortion rights, as well as women's unpaid labour in the home.

Import contributions to the international feminist sphere - especially regarding the role of male physical and sexual violence against women within the family as a use of disciplining force - similar to physical and psychological violent discipline seen used on factory workers.

Leading international organisation campaigning for suffrage, connecting national groups across Europe.

Founders: Carrie Chapman Catt, Millicent Fawcett, and Susan B. Anthony

Highlights the impact of these feminist movements and organisations

Published by a Swedish and English sociologist

Discusses the idea of the dual role of women. After WW2, they were expected to participate in wage labour and also take full responsibility for unpaid domestic labour

Myrdal and Klein discussed reforms that would allow women to balance these expectations

It was a social democratic response focusing on practical welfare reforms

Emergence of new ideas - helping to understand married women's employment

Held in Washington, D.C.

Invited all National women's suffrage organisations to date

The aim was to help advance and coordinate women's suffrage movements globally

Created a global community network and a network of national representatives to serve as official correspondents.

Attracted women from wealthy families and other European countries - Majority from the Russian empire.

Women could study mathematics, medicine, sciences, psychology or law.

Did not separate men and women; they sat side by side

Pioneers for the advancement of female higher education in Europe