The feminism
in French

Benoîte Groult, the trigger

Benoîte Groult
Benoîte Groult was a lifelong campaigner for gender equality

Who is Benoîte Groult ?

Benoîte Groult was born on 31 January 1920 and died on 20 June 2016. Benoîte obtained a degree in literature. She will even teach at the Bossuet course. It was her mother, a fashion designer, who gave her daughter a taste for life. From her youth, she developed a taste for writing. But it was only at the age of 28 that she wrote her first book: "Journal à quatre main" (Four-handed diary), written with her sister Flora

journal à quatres mains
First published in 1962, Benoîte Groult wrote it with her sister

This work was inspired by the time when France was occupied by Nazi Germany. But it’s after that she’s author of several best sellers such as “Ainsi soit-elle”; Benoîte Groult is firstly a novelist-journalist who was inspired of her life for explain her personal experiences. But she will suffer from Alzheimer's disease. A doctor will even have to give him thelethal intravenous. So, she dies the 20 June 2016.


“Ainsi soit-elle”, the book of the issuance

“Ainsi soit-elle” is a feminist essay publish in 1975 who explain the main features of feminism at the time. She is the first person to publicly denounce female genital mutilation. Unfortunately, this book is still relevant today

Ainsi soit-elle bookS
"Ainsi soit-elle" by Benoîte Groult was first published in 1975

It sold 1 million copies and was a worldwide success. Reader’s opinions of the book tell every that it’s the most important reading of their lives. Indeed, this book call to humans at take awareness and to solidarity for abolish the inequalities. This essay become even funny when Benoîte speak with a colloquial language. It’s even the first in a long series of feminist books.

Woman drawing
Feminism is a real debate in our society today

This essay is short and easy to read. It’s a good start for the reading of the feminist literature. This is for the beginner.

Benoîte Groult is engaged in the women's wrestling. She even expressed in the essay that "we must finally heal from being women. Not of being born a woman, but of having been raised a woman in a world of men”. She even treats opponents to feminism “badly fucked”.


The feminist literature

Around 1970, the new feminist movement was born in United-States. It’s propagated in France by essay of Benoîte Groult “Ainsi soit-elle”. It’s initiator of feminist literature. It means the literature written by women or aimed at women.

Girl reading a book
Girls could read very little in those days

So, at that time, we're interested by women. During the years 70’s, many feminist books are published such as “Parole de femme” by Annie Leclerc

Book parole de femme
"Parole de femme" is one of the main feminist books of the time

This book present different collection of women’s groups. In general, every book wants to release the women voices. After every book, many women are powered forward in politics such asSimone Veil or Edith Cresson.Simone Veil is the great lady of feminism, she will legalize abortion. Edith Cresson was the first female prime minister.

Edith Cresson with François Mitterand
Edith Cresson became Prime Minister on 15 May 1991

But the politics women are highly criticized, as Edith who only stayed in power for one year.