The feminist movements emerging around the work of Simone de Beauvoir were influenced by her existential philosophy and her seminal book, The Second Sex. De Beauvoir challenged traditional gender roles and the concept of womanhood as defined by men, arguing for women's autonomy and freedom. Her call for women to transcend societal limitations inspired a wave of feminist activism that emphasized empowerment, equality, and sexual liberation. De Beauvoir’s ideas also resonated with other feminist theorists, leading to a broader discourse on gender and the construction of identity in the 20th century.