The growing complexity of gender relations is due to the interactions between gender and power differentials, such as race, ethnicity, age, class, ability, and sexual orientation. The acknowledgement of such intersections is vital in understanding and working with social issues, such as gender relations, but even in contemporary activism, there is an ongoing lack of inclusivity in certain groups. Given
the history of racism within the women’s movement, the negative response from women of color to the SlutWalk is to be expected, and the oversight on the white organizers’ part is clearly a legacy of the multigenerational problem of racism in feminism. In understanding the factors that allow racism to persist and taking note of successful models of intersectionality, contemporary feminism can begin to improve and further develop their approaches to activism. Looking forward, the women’s movement would
benefit from the establishment of more organizations like the Young Women’s Christian Association, which views racism and sexism as
blended and inseparable. The involvement and approach of these intersectional organizations will ultimately be vital to the success of
the women’s movement. Consequently, the intention of this research is to advance understanding of the history of racism in the women’s movement in order to appreciate and be more aware of intersectionality in modern society.