Feminism During The French Revolution

French Revolution Feminism Despite the various events that happened during the French Revolution, such as the fall of Bastille, March on Versailles, and the Reign of Terror, women still prevailed and fought for their rights in a sexist and misogynist world. On October 4, 1789, a crowd of women marched towards Versailles demanding bread for their families. Fewer than two years later, in 1791, Marie Gouze, or better known as Olympes de Gouges, proposed a reform platform to the French National Assembly called the Declaration of the Rights of Woman. She called for complete freedom of speech, right to vote, and the opportunity to be in public office. Over the next three years, women such as Etta Palm d 'Aelders, Olympes de Gouges, Pauline Leon, Madame Roland, Charlotte Corday, and Claire Lacombe accomplished dangerous and courageous feats, which paved the way for modern-day women’s rights activists. Born in southern France in 1748, into a modest family, Marie Gouze was the daughter of a butcher and a maidservant. When she was 17, Gouze married a French officer and two years later had a son. After abandoning her son, Gouze, now known as Olympes de Gouges, went to Paris to become a famous writer. She began writing plays, but her career had only a modest success because of her poor education and inability to read for a part of her life. She …show more content…
All of the women in the French Revolution influenced not only other French women in the 1700’s, they were setting examples for other women’s rights activists such as Susan B. Anthony, Malala Yousafzai, Alice Walker, and Jeannette Rankin. By rebelling against their expected roles, they used minimal power to publish articles, fight in battles, and compile their own opinions. Although their proposals and efforts were often rejected, the women of the French Revolution were never less than