The rising number of women who became dissatisfied with their place in American society influenced the rise of the women's rights movement in the 20th century. During the war, women played a major role in workplace, and were able to support themselves. After the war, most women lost their jobs to men who came home and were forced to return to the status of stay home mothers/wives. The few that did work were paid a lot less than men. Many women refused to accept that their role in society was to stay at home and raise children. The traditional role of women such as them being expected to marry young, have children, and encourage their husband's career had disappeared. The movement motivated women to unite and it significantly improved their status in America.
             Publications for women, written by women flourished and helped begin the women's rights movement in America. Betty Friedan, author of Feminine Mystique, made it clear that women wanted to abandon their traditional role in society, and take on a new one. She felt women should be able to go out and better themselves with an education to be followed by a career rather than staying at home, as she made obvious in her book as she wrote "The problem that has no name - which is simply the fact that American women are kept from growing to their full human capacities - is taking a far greater toll on the physical and mental health of our country than any known disease." Her book became a best-seller and sparked the beginning of the women's rights movement as many women became actively involved. Following in Betty Friedan's footsteps was Gloria Steinem, a journalist who founded Ms. Magazine which focused on issues of abortion, domestic violence, and equal rights. As these women became widely known, women began to act upon their rights and start working. Over time, "Some of us are becoming the men we wanted to marry" quoted by Steinmen.
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