A Quick Guide to Each Iconic Woman Portrayed on Hulu's Mrs. America

Writer and feminist Gloria Steinem (Rose Byrne) is one of the most prominent figures of second-wave feminism, as well as an avid proponent of the Equal Rights Amendment. A co-founder of Ms. magazine, Steinem became known for her New York magazine article, “After Black Power, Women’s Liberation” in 1969. Along with Jane Fonda and Robin Morgan, she later launched the Women’s Media Center, an organization dedicated to advocacy campaigns and media representation for women.

The daughter of Caribbean immigrant parents, Shirley Chisholm (Uzo Aduba) broke many glass ceilings in her day. She became the first Black woman in Congress in 1968 and the first African-American woman to seek a presidential nomination in the Democratic Party (1972). Though her presidential bid didn’t pan out, Chisholm worked tirelessly in American politics, serving New York’s 12th Congressional District from 1969 to 1983.

No stranger to a statement piece, Florynce Kennedy (Niecy Nash) devoted her life to law and political activism. Known for donning a cowboy hat and pink sunglasses, she championed abortion rights and worked with the Black Panthers. One of her most memorable feats was organizing a mass urination by women protesting the lack of women’s restrooms at Harvard. She and a group of Black women also created the National Black Feminist Organization with Margaret Sloan-Hunter, a Black lesbian feminist writer who organized in the women’s liberation and civil rights movements.

An ardent feminist and civil rights advocate known for her signature wide-brimmed hats, Bella “Battling Bella” Abzug (Margo Martindale) served in Congress for three terms, representing the West Side of Manhattan. She championed issues such as gay rights, reproductive freedom, and more. Her major contributions include co-founding the National Women’s Political Caucus and introducing the legislation to create Women’s Equality Day.

The first president of the National Organization for Women, Betty Friedan (Tracey Ullman) was one of the biggest names attached to the second wave of feminism. Her book The Feminine Mystique shook up the women’s movement in 1963. It pushed against the idea that women were inherently fulfilled by domestic work.

Featured on the right, Jill Ruckelshaus (Elizabeth Banks) briefly worked with Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Though part of the Republican Party, Ruckelshaus was pro-choice and socially progressive, pushing for the ERA. In the ’80s, she also served as a commissioner in the United States Commission on Civil Rights.

A major conservative leader, Phyllis Schlafly (Cate Blanchett) famously opposed the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which would have guaranteed equal legal rights for all Americans regardless of sex. She staunchly rallied against radical feminism, communism, and abortion, leading the pro-family movement and starting the Eagle Forum, a conservative interest group. One of her most famous books is A Choice Not an Echo, which broke down how Eastern elites in the Republican Party suppressed conservative grassroots leaders.

Featured on the right, Brenda Feigen-Fasteau (Ari Graynor) is a feminist activist, lawyer, and film producer. Shortly after they married, Feigen-Fasteau and her husband, a fellow Harvard Law colleague, launched a class action lawsuit against Harvard Club to allow female graduates to be members. She also co-founded Ms. with Gloria Steinem and the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project with Ruth Bader Ginsburg.