Amazon feminism is dedicated to the image of the female hero in fiction and in fact, as it is expressed in art and literature in the physiques and feats of female athletes, martial artists, and other powerfully built women, and in gender-related and sexual orientations.

Amazon feminism is concerned about physical equality and is opposed to gender role stereotypes and discrimination against women based on assumptions that women are supposed to be, look or behave as if they are passive, weak, and physically helpless.

Amazon feminism rejects the idea that certain characteristics or interests are inherently masculine (or feminine), and upholds and explores a vision of heroic womanhood. Amazon feminism supports and celebrates women who attain and express mental and physical prowess, for example female strength athletes, martial artists, soldiers/women in combat, firefighters, lumberjacks, astronauts, powerlifters, wrestlers, boxers, etc.

The confidence and physical strength displayed by these women appeals to a sizeable group of men. Demonstrating the appeal of Amazon feminism, some of these men participate in contests of physical strength and athletic skill by wrestling female bodybuilders and other female strength athletes.

The term was introduced in Thomas Gramstad's essay The Female Hero in the essay anthology Feminist Interpretations of Ayn Rand, edited by Mimi Reisel Gladstein and Chris Matthew Sciabarra (Pennsylvania State University Press, 1999).

See also

• Amazons
• Heroine
• Tomboy
• Goddess
• Goddess movement
• Kali
• Matriarchy
• Matriarch

External links

• On The Trail of the Women Warriors - Lyn Webster Wilde is the author of the book with the same title.
• Lothene Experimental Archaeology - Women as warriors in history.
• Real Knockouts: The Physical Feminism of Women's Self-Defense - An interview with the author of the book with the same title.
• Female Muscle Gallery - A picture collection of powerfully built women (bodybuilding and fitness athletes).
• The Amazon Connection - A guide to online resources about Amazons, aiming to cover the entire spectrum of meaning that has been attributed to the term Amazon.
• Amazons International - A newsletter dedicated to the image of the Amazon or female hero in fiction and in fact, in art and literature, in the physiques and feats of female athletes, and in gender-related and sexual orientations.