Final answer:
Black women were instrumental in shaping the Women's Liberation movement, bringing attention to intersectionality and the unique struggles black women faced, as highlighted by the Combahee River Collective. They also pushed for lesbian inclusivity within the feminist movement, paving the way for more comprehensive definitions of women's rights and liberties.
Step-by-step explanation:
Black women significantly shaped the Women's Liberation Movement in the 1970s and 1980s, offering unique perspectives on intersectionality that critiqued mainstream feminism. The Combahee River Collective, a Boston-based African American feminist organization, provided a seminal contribution to this discourse with their 1977 "Black Feminist Statement."
This pivotal document underscored how race and gender oppression intersected to create distinct challenges for black women. Their advocacy broadened the scope of the movement to include a multiplicity of voices and perspectives, demanding that feminism account for the experiences of women of color.
Feminist Betty Friedan, author of 'The Feminine Mystique,' had previously opposed the inclusion of lesbians in the feminist movement, but by 1969, lesbian activists had successfully reversed this stance, marking a significant shift within the National Organization for Women towards embracing lesbian rights and the right of women to define their sexuality. This inclusive approach emerged just as feminists of the 1960s began questioning societal roles determined by gender.