Betty Friedan
Author of The Feminine Mystique (1963), which is often credited with sparking the second wave of feminism in the United States. Friedan was also a co-founder of the National Organization for Women (NOW) and an advocate for women's rights, workplace equality, and reproductive freedom.

Gloria Steinem
A leading feminist figure, journalist, and activist, Steinem co-founded Ms. Magazine and was a key figure in the feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s. She advocated for women's rights, reproductive justice, and social equality.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The late U.S. Supreme Court Justice was a pioneering figure in advancing women's rights through legal advocacy. She co-founded the Women's Rights Project at the ACLU and argued landmark cases before the Supreme Court, fighting for gender equality under the law.

Bella Abzug
A prominent feminist, lawyer, and U.S. Congresswoman, Abzug was an advocate for women's rights, civil rights, and social justice. She co-founded the National Women's Political Caucus and was known for her outspoken advocacy for gender equality and peace.

Judith Butler
A philosopher and gender theorist, Butler is known for her groundbreaking work in gender studies, particularly the concept of gender performativity, which has influenced feminist, queer, and post-structuralist theory. Her book Gender Trouble (1990) is a foundational text in feminist and LGBTQ+ theory.

Susan Sontag
A writer, philosopher, and activist, Sontag explored the intersections of art, culture, politics, and feminism. She was an outspoken advocate for women's rights and was known for her intellectual critique of societal norms, particularly in relation to women’s roles.

Alice Walker
Though more famously known for her work as an African American writer and feminist, Walker is also part of the broader feminist movement in the U.S. through her writings on intersectionality and the experiences of Black women, particularly in her novel The Color Purple. Her feminist views include advocacy for reproductive rights and women’s empowerment.

Shulamit Reinharz
A prominent scholar of Jewish feminism, Reinharz is known for her work on Jewish women’s history and their roles in social movements. She co-founded the Women’s Studies Program at Brandeis University and is a key figure in the academic study of Jewish feminism.

Gloria Anzaldúa
Although primarily known for her work as a Chicana feminist and queer theorist, Anzaldúa's work on intersectionality has had a profound influence on Jewish American feminists and other marginalized groups. Her book Borderlands/La Frontera is an important text in feminist theory and activism.

Lillian Wald
A pioneering nurse and social reformer, Wald founded the Henry Street Settlement in New York City and was a leader in the settlement house movement. She worked for social justice, women’s rights, and public health reform, and was a key figure in the early stages of social work.

Marcia Freedman
A former California State Assemblywoman and feminist activist, Freedman was an advocate for reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender equality. She was a founding member of the National Women’s Political Caucus and worked with feminist and peace organizations.

Sylvia Pankhurst
Although she was British, Pankhurst had a significant impact on the American feminist movement. She was a suffragist, artist, and feminist who campaigned for women's rights, workers' rights, and anti-colonialism. Her activism and writings resonated deeply with American feminists, especially those involved in international movements.

Deborah Lipstadt
A historian, author, and professor, Lipstadt is renowned for her work on the Holocaust and combating Holocaust denial. She is also an advocate for human rights and gender equality, linking feminist issues with broader social justice causes.

Ruth Messinger
Former President of the American Jewish World Service, Messinger has been a champion for social justice, global human rights, and women’s empowerment. She worked extensively in promoting women’s rights in the developing world.

Hadassah Lieberman
An advocate for social justice, Lieberman has been involved in women’s health, education, and empowerment efforts. She is known for her work in Jewish communal life and her advocacy for policy that benefits women and children.

Rachel Weisz
An Academy Award-winning actress and activist, Weisz has been vocal about gender equality in Hollywood and uses her platform to advocate for women’s representation in film and the broader entertainment industry.