Second-wave feminism refers to the period of feminist activity from the early 1960s to the early 1980s.

It followed first-wave feminism, which had focused primarily on women's suffrage.

A key catalyst for the movement was the 1963 book 'The Feminine Mystique' by Betty Friedan, which articulated the widespread dissatisfaction of suburban housewives.

The movement's goals were broad, addressing issues of sexuality, family, the workplace, reproductive rights, and legal inequalities.

The slogan 'The Personal is Political' was a core concept, connecting women's personal experiences to broader systems of power and patriarchy.

The National Organization for Women (NOW) was founded in 1966 to advocate for women's rights through legal and political action.

Major legislative and legal achievements included the passage of Title IX, which banned gender discrimination in federally funded education programs, and the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, which legalized abortion.

The movement campaigned for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the Constitution, which ultimately failed to be ratified by the required number of states.

It also led to the establishment of women's studies programs in universities and the creation of rape crisis centers and domestic violence shelters.

Second-wave feminism fundamentally changed the conversation about gender roles in American society.