ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the intersectionality and diversity of women's lives and experiences, gender differences in power, and the social construction of gender. It describes these themes and translate them into goals for the future, consider actions for achieving these aims, and, because these goals have their roots in feminist thought, explores the prevalence of feminist beliefs among North American women. Many women seek to achieve success and better their own lives through individual efforts. In fact, consistent with a traditional North American value system that applauds individualism, many American women place greater emphasis on their own hard work in improving their lives than on women's collective efforts. Girls and women also work together in groups, taking up the banner of collective activism to advocate for social change. They are fighting for issues such as immigrant rights, protections against violence, increased spending on education, and taking on corporate sexist practices.
