Feminism has evolved from a radical social movement focused on women's suffrage and gender equality to a more individualistic movement. Originally, feminism involved forceful activism, but now focuses more on a woman's independence and liberating herself. However, feminism is still needed as gender inequalities remain. Modern feminism, promoted by figures like Beyoncé, emphasizes women's confidence and independence rather than collective political issues. It has also become commercialized and linked to consumer products. Intersectionality recognizes that different women face unique challenges based on their race, class, gender, and other attributes.

1. FEMINISM: THEN AND NOW
THEN:
 Social/Politically radical movement
 Women’s suffrage
 Forceful attempt to gain gender equality
 Involved violent activism
NOW:
 New individualist identity
 Woman liberating herself
 Disregards collective ambition

2. CONCEPTIONS OF FEMINISM
 Why do we still need Feminism?
 Aren’t women already liberated?
 Fear in being labelled a feminist in today’s
society
 Negative connotations
 Associated with violence and male-hatred
 General feminist stereotype:
An angry woman with hairy legs, ready to
blame men for everything

3. THE MODERN FEMINIST
 Modern public figures such
as Beyoncé glamourise
feminism.
 Feminism becomes linked to
women’s independence
and self-respect. As her
some of her hit songs
suggest:
Who run the world? (girls)
All the single ladies
Flawless
• Utilising an attractive, feisty
approach for young women.

4. SELLING FEMINISM
Feminism today appears to be mostly
associated with women finding confidence
within themselves, rather than being a
concern about social, political and economic
inequalities that continue to exist between the
sexes within society.
Modern day feminism addresses personal
issues that commonly face women
–such as body image and relationship status.
Feminism has become a reason to sell and
buy things
–such as Beyoncé's music and Jessica
Valenti’s book
“Capitalism, which in a
sense knows no morals,
couldn’t care less about
the positive, happy,
‘feminist’ reclaiming of
sex so long as it makes
a buck out of skimpy
nightwear and thongs”
(Power, 2009).

5. INTERSECTIONALITY
Intersectionality recognises the
varying, “multi-layered facets”
that exist in each, individual
woman's life.
Race, gender, class, ability and
ethnicity
Feminism as a collective
endeavour that recognises
women all face different
hurdles within life
–not all feminists are the same
“Today’s feminist
movement is said to
be in danger of
losing momentum
unless it recognises
that not every
feminist is white,
middle class, cis-
gendered and able
bodied”
(Vidal, 2014).