Blackwell Reference Online

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One of the prominent legacies of the May 1968 French uprisings is the modern French women's movement. Founded by feminists Antoinette Fouque, Monique Wittig, and Josiane Chanel, the movement was dubbed MLF by the press in reference to the American women's liberation movement , which was at its most visible expression of public activism during the 1960s and 1970s. MLF was mainly used during the initial period of the movement in the early 1970s, after which independent groups were created. Provocative actions during the formative years of the MLF include public demonstrations, such as in August 1970 when a group of women placed a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier at the Arc de Triomphe in order to commemorate his wife, whom they declared was “more unknown” than he was. This action sparked the first public discussion of the MLF in the media. Another major media event drawing attention to the MLF was the April 1971 Manifeste des 343. Three hundred and forty-three women, many of whom were famous artists and writers, signed the manifesto, admitting to having had an illegal abortion. It was published in important print media such as Le Nouvel Observateur and Le Monde , garnering attention for the MLF. In May 1972, 5,000 women congr gated at the Maison de la Mutualité conference center in Paris, testifying to the injustices they suffered, such as rape, domestic violence, sexual ... log in or subscribe to read full text