Intersectional Perspectives on Citizenship, Suffrage, and Labor Rights in the Early 20th Century: Comparative Discourse Analysis of Carrie Chapman Catt and Women of the Philippines

This project critically examines the intersection of citizenship, suffrage, and labor rights through a comparative discourse analysis of Carrie Chapman Catt's writings during her travels to the Philippines and the narratives of Filipino women in the early 20th century. By employing a critical feminist lens inspired by Kyla Schuller, the study aims to challenge dominant historical narratives of feminism that predominantly center on white women, thereby offering an alternative perspective that incorporates the experiences of marginalized colonized women. Methodologically, the research analyzes primary sources, including Catt's travel diaries and Filipino women's magazines such as Women's Outlook, using comparative analysis within an intersectional feminist framework. The findings highlight how Catt's rhetoric reflects white imperial feminism characterized by ethnocentrism and a white savior complex, while Filipino women's writings reveal solidarity, resilience, and a unique perspective shaped by colonial influences. This study contributes to feminist historiography by questioning the wave theory of feminism and emphasizing the role of colonized women in shaping feminist thought, ultimately advocating for a more inclusive understanding of U.S. feminist history.