Why the Women of the 60s Still Inspire Me Today
When people talk about the 60s, the conversation usually starts with the music. Or the lava lamps. Or the swirling colours of psychedelic fashion. But for me, what truly made the 60s unforgettable were the women.
The women of the 60s didn’t just wear flowers in their hair—they were planting seeds of change everywhere they went. They challenged the system, questioned everything, and dared to imagine a world where freedom, equality, and self-expression actually meant something.
In my earlier post, I explored how the 60s reshaped womanhood. But this time, I want to go deeper. This is about why the women of the 60s still live in my heart—why I turn to them again and again for strength, hope, and fire.
The Women of the 60s Spoke Up—Even When It Wasn’t Safe
First off, let’s talk about courage.
The women of the 60s raised their voices in a world that preferred they stay quiet. And not just with polite suggestions—they shouted, marched, protested, and made noise. They risked everything to stand for what was right.
They spoke out against the Vietnam War.
They stood on the frontlines of the Civil Rights Movement. They said, “We’re not waiting for permission.”
One of those women was Constance Baker Motley — the first Black woman elected to the New York Senate and later the first Black female federal judge in the U.S. She didn’t need a megaphone to make history. With quiet power, she stood beside civil rights legends like Martin Luther King Jr., using the law as her protest sign and the courtroom as her march.
There were countless others: Angela Davis, Dolores Huerta, Gloria Steinem—names we remember. But also thousands we don’t: teachers, students, mothers, artists, and workers all whispering and shouting, “Enough.”
These women taught me that silence isn’t peace—it’s permission. And I don’t want to give permission to injustice.
✨ For a deeper look at how these voices shaped a revolution, check out The 60s Revolution: Music, Protests & the Fight for Change. The women were never just in the background—they were the revolution.
The Women of the 60s Redefined Beauty and Power
Next, let’s talk self-expression.
The women of the 60s took the rulebook on how a woman “should” look or behave—and set it on fire with incense and protest poetry.
They embraced long, wild hair.
They went braless.
They danced barefoot in public parks.
They wore jeans, and not just on weekends.
They stopped shaving because they wanted to, not because they forgot.
Suddenly, beauty wasn’t about pleasing men or fitting into a box. It was about reclaiming your own body and spirit. It was about power—not the kind that sits at a desk in a suit, but the kind that burns sage at sunrise and sings loudly at rallies.
These women remind me that power doesn’t always wear a blazer. Sometimes it wears fringe and smells like patchouli. Sometimes it sits in stillness, refusing to smile when told to.
🌼 Beauty was no longer about acceptance—it was about autonomy.
✨ Curious how this rebellion showed up in fashion? You might dig 60s and 70s Fashion Trends That Still Inspire Today. It’s all about how self-expression through clothing became a statement of freedom.
The Women of the 60s Were Intersectional Before It Had a Name
It’s important to remember that the women’s movement wasn’t one-size-fits-all. Many women of the 60s, especially women of colour, Indigenous women, and LGBTQ+ women, had to fight multiple battles at once.
They were protesting racism and sexism.
Fighting patriarchy and colonialism.
Pushing for gender equality while being ignored within their own movements.
Even within the mainstream feminist spaces, many voices were excluded. But they didn’t stay silent. They built their own collectives. They created underground newspapers, feminist collectives, and handmade zines—those scrappy, self-published booklets filled with poetry, protest, and power.
The truth? These women were intersectional before the word existed.
They inspire me because they didn’t wait for the world to make room for them—they carved out space anyway. And they remind me that inclusivity isn’t optional in a revolution—it’s essential.
The Women of the 60s Weren’t Perfect—But They Were Brave
It’s easy to romanticise a movement. But the women of the 60s weren’t perfect.
They made mistakes. Some voices were left out. Some paths were messy. Not every protest led to change. And not every relationship within the movement was harmonious.
But they showed up anyway.
They kept learning. They kept questioning. They passed the mic. They passed the torch. And even when it felt like the world wasn’t listening, they kept singing.
Their imperfect bravery is what inspires me most. Because if they could fight, fail, and keep going… then so can we.
Why the Women of the 60s Still Matter Today
So why does this all still matter?
Because we’re still fighting.
We’re still overwhelmed.
Still pressured to be everything at once.
Still bombarded with hustle culture, toxic beauty standards, and expectations that we shrink ourselves to be liked.
But when I think of the women of the 60s, I remember that rebellion can be gentle. It can look like choosing rest over productivity. Or being honest when society expects us to smile and nod. Or saying “no” without apology.
They remind me that peace is not passive—it’s radical.
And honestly? I want to live in a world shaped by their spirit.
Not just psychedelic posters and vintage dresses (though yes, please)—
but their fire, their flaws, and their unwavering belief in a better way.
Passing the Flower Torch
To every woman who danced barefoot at a protest…
Who raised a fist and a child at the same time…
Who said “no” before it was safe to do so…
I see you. I thank you. I carry you with me.
And to you, reader—maybe you’re feeling burnt out. Maybe you’re wondering if your voice still matters.
It does.
The revolution might not be televised…
But it is inside you.
✨ Read More Groovy Goodness:
- 5 Groovy Lessons from Woodstock That Still Matter Today
- What Being a Hippie Was Really About
- Romance in the 60s and 70s: Why It Still Matters
Peace and Love ✌🏽
Angie
🌼Image Credits🌼
All images used in this post are sourced with love from Wikimedia Commons and are believed to be either in the public domain or available under Creative Commons licenses. Every effort has been made to ensure proper usage and attribution in accordance with licensing terms.
Peace, nostalgia, and eternal gratitude to the photographers, revolutionaries, and everyday legends who captured the magic, struggle, and soul of the women of the 60s. ✌🏽🌼
- CORE housing protest, Seattle (1964) — Photographer unknown, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.
- Constance Baker Motley flashing the V sign — Photo via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.
- Sauna ritual, Netherlands (1960s) — Photographer unknown, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.
- Civil rights protest in front of a segregated theatre, Tallahassee, Florida — Photographer unknown, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.
- Beach café at Zandvoort, Netherlands (1964) — Photo via the Dutch National Archives / Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.
- Bikini models running on the beach, Pensacola, Florida (featured image) — Photographer unknown, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.
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