Feminist Majority Foundation: Women’s History Teacher’s Guide

Mission of Organization

“The Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF) was created to develop bold, new strategies and programs to advance women's equality, non-violence, economic development, and, most importantly, empowerment of women and girls in all sectors of society.”

Curriculum Description

This five day unit offers a review of women’s history in the 20th and 21st centuries and includes a reading of the Feminist Chronicles: 1953-1993. The lessons include: The Struggle for Women’s Equality, The Origins and Ideas of the Contemporary Feminist Movement, The Accomplishments of the Modern Day Women’s Movement, The Methods of the Women’s Movement, The Continuing Struggle for Women’s Rights.

Curriculum Materials Reviewed
  • The Struggle for Women’s Equality
  • The Origins and Ideas of the Contemporary Feminist Movement
  • The Accomplishments of the Modern Day Women’s Movement
  • The Methods of the Women’s Movement
  • The Continuing Struggle for Women’s Rights
Source of Funding

N/A

Learning Resources
  • Videos
  • The Feminist Chronicles:1953-1993 (available online)
Target Population/Grade Levels
Cost Per Classroom
Free
Training
N/A
Domain Presence
Critical Consciousness

Presence Evaluation: Some Presence

Evaluation Notes: The lessons address histories of inequality but doesn’t focus on taking action against them. It takes a inclusive lens and is thoughtful of non-White women when analyzing feminism. The lessons are devoted to women’s rights as evidenced in the lesson exploring Title IX and its effects on women’s rights.

Social Action

Presence Evaluation: Full Presence

Evaluation Notes: The lessons feature a lobbying exercise and a mock organizing exercise for students to practice social engagement. 

Reciprocal Community Relationship

Presence Evaluation: Minimal Present

Evaluation Notes: There is no explicit discussion of getting involved in one's community. Some of the activities include taking into account the concerns of a community. 

Systems Wide Approach

Presence Evaluation: Minimal Presence

Evaluation Notes: The lessons do not take a systems wide approach. 

Explicit Teaching of Social Justice Principles

Presence Evaluation: Full Presence

Evaluation Notes: The lessons define feminism and goes into detail about the movement and its goals. 

Self-Reflection

Presence Evaluation: Full Presence

Evaluation Notes: The lessons require students to reflect on how the feminist movement has impacted the students’ lives. 

Evidence Based

Presence Evaluation: Not Present

Evaluation Notes: To date, there has been no empirical study of this curriculum to evaluate its effectiveness.

Inclusion and Equity

Presence Evaluation: Some Presence

Evaluation Notes: The lessons discuss various obstacles to women’s equality and areas that still need improvement to achieve equality.  It discusses the intersectionality as well, though not in great detail. 

High Expectations

Presence Evaluation: N/A

Evaluation Notes: We are unable to evaluate this domain since it is best measured through observation.

Social Identities

Presence Evaluation: Full Presence

Evaluation Notes: This lessons focus on the role of gender in people's experiences.