The history of feminist movements often focuses predominantly on white women, positioning them as the protagonists of the struggle for gender equality. However, taking a revisionist approach reveals a complex narrative filled with diverse voices and struggles that challenge the foundations of first-wave feminism. Important text such as Sisters in Spirit: Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Influence on Early American Feminists by Sally Roesch Wagner, 2004 film Iron Jawed Angels directed by Katja Von Garnier and the journalism well as the writings of Ida B. Wells, illuminate perspectives previously hidden from mainstream accounts. By solely emphasizing the hegemonic narrative of white women in early American feminism, the contributions from marginalized groups, particularly Native American and Black activists, have been erased. Centering these overlooked voices expands our understanding of the feminist movement significantly.

The problem with exclusively highlighting white women in feminist movements is that it obscures the representation and foundational contributions of minorities who supported and influenced the movement from its inception. In Sisters in Spirit, Wagner emphasizes how Haudenosaunee women held significant political authority within their society, offering an influential model for early American feminists such as Lucretia Mott. The economic and spiritual systems of the Haudenosaunee provided Euro-American women, who were oppressed within their own culture, a powerful example and inspiration to fight for their rights.

Similarly, the film Iron Jawed Angels addresses the militant methods of suffragists like Alice Paul but often neglect the parallel struggles of Black activists such as Ida B. Wells. Wells fought tirelessly not only for women’s suffrage but against racial oppression, exposing deep-rooted racism within the suffrage movement itself. Sisters in Spirit highlights this by stating, “Taken together, these tactics reveal the EuroAmerican practice of denying women suffrage to be an arbitrary exercise of male power”. By following the examples of cultures like the Haudenosaunee, white suffragists found models of political equality but selectively ignored their broader lessons regarding universal equality.

Decentering white narratives requires recognizing that feminist history is deeply intertwined with racial justice and Native American sovereignty. Wagner asserts, “They believed women’s liberation was possible because they knew liberated women, women who possessed rights beyond their wildest imagination: Haudenosaunee women”. Despite this powerful example, Euro-Americans adapted these ideals selectively, maintaining patriarchal control and racial hierarchies.

Learning from Black and Native American activism reveals that feminist movements are not homogenous struggles and must be understood through their intersections with racism, colonialism, and class oppression. Ida B. Wells directly challenged the suffrage movement, demonstrating the power of intersectional activism. Her activism highlighted that feminism is not just a gender-based fight but an ongoing battle against multiple overlapping forms of oppression.

Ultimately, broadening the narrative of feminism requires incorporating the diverse struggles of marginalized groups. By acknowledging intersectionality and moving beyond limitations of race and class, a deeper and more accurate feminist history can emerge—one that genuinely represents all voices integral to the pursuit of gender equality.