Feminism in the Right Wing: A Story Hiding in Plain Sight

When we hear the word feminism, our minds often jump to left-leaning marches, progressive protests, or liberal policies on gender equality. But what if we told you that feminism has long had a home—and an influential one—within the very walls of right-wing politics? That it isn’t only about collective rights, but also about individual freedom, personal agency, and the power of the unconquerable woman?

This isn’t a contradiction. It’s a story that’s been hiding in plain sight.

The Lone Woman as the Ultimate Individual: Ayn Rand’s Radical Feminism

No one embodied this paradox more fiercely than Ayn Rand, the Russian-American novelist and philosopher who ignited the world with The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. Rand is rarely described as a feminist. She even rejected the label herself. But look closer—not at the label, but at the actions.

Rand championed individualism, rational self-interest, and moral independence—ideas that empower anyone, but especially women, to take full command of their destiny. Her heroines—Dagny Taggart or Dominique Francon—are not accessories to male stories. They are unapologetically competent, sexually autonomous, and intellectually untouchable.

In a world where conservatism often celebrates personal responsibility and minimal government interference, Rand’s women are the ideal conservatives: self-made, ungovernable, and unwilling to be victimized.

Is that not a form of feminism?

Right-Wing Feminism Is Not New—It’s Just Understated

Long before feminism became synonymous with progressivism, right-wing women were carving paths through politics, business, and the military—often with little fanfare, but immense impact.

Take Margaret Thatcher, the "Iron Lady" of British politics. She rejected the feminist label too—but not the fight. She rose to power in a man's world, held it ruthlessly, and never apologized for her strength. Her feminism was not about breaking glass ceilings for all, but proving she could rise through them on her own terms.

Or look at Phyllis Schlafly, the American conservative activist often painted as anti-feminist for opposing the Equal Rights Amendment. Yet Schlafly herself built a powerful national political platform, wrote books, and debated male opponents on live television. She didn’t seek government protections—she wielded political power.

Her feminism? Complex. But real.

The Right-Wing Feminist Mindset

So what distinguishes right-wing feminism from its left-wing counterpart?

• Individualism over collectivism: Right-wing feminism celebrates the woman's capacity as a singular force—not necessarily part of a collective sisterhood.
• Power without victimhood: It rejects the idea that women are primarily oppressed and instead focuses on strength, self-sufficiency, and personal resilience
• Choice beyond ideology: Right-wing feminists support the choice to be CEOs, soldiers, homemakers, or all three—not because of dogma, but because women can.

This isn’t feminism-lite. It’s feminism through a different lens.

Modern Examples and the Rise of Conservative Feminism

In recent years, figures like Candace Owens, Nikki Haley, and Kemi Badenoch have embraced strong conservative platforms while asserting their authority as women.

They challenge mainstream feminist narratives not because they oppose women's rights—but because they believe in women’s power without special treatment.

And Elon Musk’s mother, Maye Musk, a successful dietitian and model, embodies this ethos with grace and grit: fiercely independent, politically nuanced, and not shy about earning every success.

The rise of women-led conservative media, business enterprises, and political movements shows that right-wing feminism is no longer a fringe contradiction—it’s becoming a formidable force.

Conclusion: Feminism Isn’t Owned by One Side

The left doesn’t own feminism. Neither does the right. Because feminism is not a party line. It’s a philosophy about the autonomy and dignity of women—how they assert it is as diverse as the women themselves.

Ayn Rand didn’t need the word feminist to be one. Neither did Thatcher. Neither do many women today.

Right-wing feminism doesn’t march in lockstep. It doesn’t carry signs. It carries conviction. And maybe that’s what makes it so powerful—because it asks not for liberation from the system, but the freedom to conquer it.