Mum’s the word: Rethinking a woman’s ‘purpose’

From ancient texts to fairytales and sitcoms, the myth of motherhood runs deep. And for the longest time, it seemed to be the sole measure of a woman's worth.

A Woman's “Purpose”: From Aprons to the Clouds

For centuries, a woman's place was in the kitchen. Societal expectations tied to motherhood and homemaking kept women out of the workplace, out of politics, and powerless to shape their futures, hindering their economic inclusion and reinforcing systemic barriers to financial independence and career advancement. But, through the efforts of trailblazing mavens across history, women have rightfully claimed their place where they belong: everywhere!

Women’s footprints in history

We walk a path paved with the strength and sacrifice of amazing women who came before us. Their resilience secured the rights and liberties that give us the freedom to redefine our purpose. From trailblazing scientists like Marie Curie and Rosalind Franklin to fearless activists like Rosa Parks and Malala Yousafzai, women have left their mark on every field imaginable. Did you know?

• Valentina Tereshkova became the first, female civilian in space in 1963.¹ Her flight was a solo mission, and she orbited Earth 48 times, over 3 days.¹ And while her flight inspired an unprecedented number of girls registering to study STEM subjects in the Soviet Union during the '60s, we wouldn’t see a second woman in space until almost two decades later.
• Langley’s ‘Computers’, a pioneering group of women, largely African American, who did complex mathematical computations for NASA. The success of the first U.S. crewed spaceflight, and many thereafter, hinged on the orbital mechanics calculations of Katherine Johnson. Meanwhile, Miriam Mann made history as NASA's first Black engineer in 1958.2
• Ada Lovelace - called the first computer programmer - discovered computers could be programmed and predicted their use beyond numerical calculations.³
• Madam C.J. Walker, the first female self-made millionaire in the U.S. and daughter of former slaves. She became one of the wealthiest African Americans of her time, rising from poverty and launching her own line of popular hair products for Black women.⁴

What is a woman's purpose?

Historically, social norms have dictated that a woman's primary purpose is to be a wife and mother.⁵ Media portrayals, traditional expectations, and cultural pressure have limited women’s opportunities, restricting them to domestic roles and childcare.

Great strides have been made since the days when domesticity was a woman’s only option, but the journey to full equality for all women is far from over.

The history of U.S. feminism

American feminist movements can be broadly divided into four waves:⁶

The first wave: 1848-1920

Ignited by the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 as well as the Declaration of Sentiments, which prioritized basic rights like the right to vote. The suffragette movement played a crucial role in achieving this goal.⁶

The second wave: 1963-1980

The 1963 bestseller, The Feminine Mystique, ignited second-wave feminism by voicing women's dissatisfaction with traditional domestic roles. Betty Friedan's book spurred a women's empowerment movement, influenced heavily by civil rights protests, challenging gender roles and discrimination.⁶

The third wave: 1990s

Tackling issues like workplace sexual harassment and the underrepresentation of women in leadership, emerged in 1992 after the Anita Hill testimony against Clarence Thomas. That same year a record number of women were elected to Congress. As opposed to the first two waves, this third phase prioritized inclusivity concerning race and gender.⁶

The fourth wave: Present day

The #MeToo movement, launched by Tarana Burke in 2007 and ignited in 2017 by the Harvey Weinstein scandal, ushered in a new era of social media activism, focusing on the systemic nature of sexual misconduct.⁶

The Red Lipstick Revolution

For centuries, red lipstick was seen as a mark of loose morals or even devil worship. It wasn't until the early 1900s that it became a mainstream cosmetic. In 1912, Elizabeth Arden gave out red lipsticks to the thousands of suffragettes marching by her newly opened New York store. The bold color quickly became a symbol of the movement, representing both rebellion and female liberation. Red lipstick made a powerful comeback during World War II, this time as an act of defiance against Hitler, who famously despised it.⁷

Second World War and its aftermath

Before World War II, most women in the United States were homemakers. The war changed that. With millions of men going overseas, non-traditional job opportunities suddenly opened up for women. An estimated six million women entered the civilian workforce during that time, taking on both white-collar and blue-collar positions such as taxi drivers, construction workers, steelworkers, and government workers.⁸

When the war ended, women were expected to return to their traditional roles. Some did so, happily. Others were unwilling to relinquish their financial independence so easily. While those who remained in the workforce often faced demotions, their wartime contributions could not be ignored, undermining claims of male superiority. Although progress was gradual over the following two decades, their wartime service, both in the military and on the home front, empowered women to fight for equal pay, equal rights, and access to non-traditional jobs.⁸

Redefining a woman’s purpose

Today’s women are shattering glass ceilings and achieving success in every field. Women significantly outpace men in college enrollment and graduation rates, a trend evident in every state, according to the U.S. Department of Education.⁹ Today’s women are free to redefine their purpose, embracing their full potential.

So, as we challenge traditional gender roles and societal expectations, it’s time to break free from the outdated view that a woman's value is solely tied to her reproductive capabilities. While motherhood is a beautiful and fulfilling experience, it’s not the right path for everyone. And it’s definitely not a woman’s sole purpose in life.

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