Bolstered with a groovy vintage wardrobe [1] and stellar cast, Hulu's Mrs. America holds nothing back when it comes to the nuances of the women's liberation movement in the '70s. The miniseries focuses on Cate Blanchett [2] as Phyllis Schlafly, the pro-family conservative activist who lobbied against the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment [3]. With an eye on the feminist icons of the time, the story also teases out the tensions within the women's liberation movement and reveals the shortcomings of white feminism. So undoubtedly, Mrs. America spotlights legendary female leaders [4] whose legacies still impact us today. Ahead, we've broken down a few accomplishments (the list was hard to narrow down!) about each major woman on the show and her indelible marks on history as we know it.
Phyllis Schlafly
A major conservative leader, Phyllis Schlafly [5] (Cate Blanchett [6]) famously opposed the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which would have guaranteed equal legal rights for all Americans regardless of sex. She staunchly rallied against radical feminism, communism, and abortion [7], leading the pro-family movement and starting the Eagle Forum, a conservative interest group. One of her most famous books is A Choice Not an Echo, which broke down how Eastern elites in the Republican Party suppressed conservative grassroots leaders.
Gloria Steinem
Writer and feminist Gloria Steinem (Rose Byrne) is one of the most prominent figures of second-wave feminism, as well as an avid proponent of the Equal Rights Amendment. A co-founder of Ms. magazine, Steinem became known for her New York Magazine article, "After Black Power, Women's Liberation [8]" in 1969. Along with Jane Fonda and Robin Morgan, she later launched the Women's Media Centre [9], an organisation dedicated to advocacy campaigns and media representation for women.
Shirley Chisholm
The daughter of Caribbean immigrant parents, Shirley Chisholm (Uzo Aduba) broke many glass ceilings in her day. She became the first Black woman in Congress in 1968 and the first African American woman to seek a presidential nomination in the Democratic Party (1972). Though her presidential bid didn't pan out, Chisholm worked tirelessly in American politics, serving New York's 12th Congressional District from 1969 to 1983.
Flo Kennedy
No stranger to a statement piece [10], Florynce Kennedy (Niecy Nash) devoted her life to law and political activism. Known for donning a cowboy hat and pink sunglasses, she championed abortion rights and worked with the Black Panthers. One of her most memorable feats was organising a mass urination [11] by women protesting the lack of women's restrooms at Harvard. She and a group of Black women also created the National Black Feminist Organisation with Margaret Sloan-Hunter [12], a Black lesbian feminist writer who organised in the women's liberation and civil rights movements.
Bella Abzug
An ardent feminist and civil rights advocate known for her signature wide-brimmed hats, Bella "Battling Bella" Abzug (Margo Martindale) served in Congress for three terms [13], representing the West Side of Manhattan. She championed issues such as gay rights, reproductive freedom, and more. Her major contributions [14] include co-founding the National Women's Political Caucus and introducing the legislation to create Women's Equality Day.
Betty Friedan
The first president of the National Organisation for Women, Betty Friedan (Tracey Ullman) was one of the biggest names attached to the second wave of feminism. Her book The Feminine Mystique [15] shook up the women's movement in 1963 [16]. It pushed against the idea that women were inherently fulfiled by domestic work.
Jill Ruckelshaus
Featured on the right, Jill Ruckelshaus (Elizabeth Banks) briefly worked with Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Though part of the Republican Party [17], Ruckelshaus was pro-choice and socially progressive, pushing for the ERA. In the '80s, she also served as a commissioner in the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
Brenda Feigen
Featured on the right, Brenda Feigen (Ari Graynor) is a feminist activist, lawyer, and film producer. Shortly after they married, Feigen and her husband, a fellow Harvard Law colleague, launched a class action lawsuit against Harvard Club to allow female graduates to be members [18]. She also co-founded Ms. with Gloria Steinem and the ACLU's Women's Rights Project with Ruth Bader Ginsburg [19].