User:KayleeLong/Feminism in France

Belle Époque Era & Third Republic

During the culturally thriving times of the Belle Époque, especially in the late nineteenth century, feminism and the view of femininity experienced substantial shifts evident through acts by women of boldness and rejection of previous stigmas. The most defining characteristic of this period shown by these actions is the power of choice women began to take hold of. Such acts included these women partaking in nonstandard ways of marriage—as divorce during this time had been legally reinstalled as a result of the Naquet Laws —practicing gender role-defying jobs, and profoundly influencing societal ideologies regarding femininity through writings.

Feminist newspapers quickly became more widespread and took a role in transforming both the view of women and their rights. As this era held promise of equality, proceeding after the French Revolution, women still had yet to gain the title of equal citizens, making it a difficult and dangerous venture to publicize opinions promoting the advancement of women’s rights. Among these newspapers, the most notable is Marguerite Durand’s La Fronde, run entirely by women.