Abstract

The 1970s were a pivotal moment in the history of women’s liberation, an era in which the feminist movement gained momentum and furthered legal significance with the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. This momentum was fueled by an undercurrent of rage that ran through American women as they broke free from traditional conceptions of gender. The Runaways, an edgy and rebellious rock band comprised of teenage girls, represented this turning point as symbols of female empowerment and independence at a time when women’s voices were fighting to be heard. The Runaways fought to act, perform, and exist in rock and roll as their male counterparts did while retaining their identities as women. Their aggressive, unapologetic attitude challenged social norms, allowing them to break free from traditional gender roles and inspire a generation of women to do the same.

Keywords: The Runaways, Cherry Bomb, Reproductive Rights, 1970s, Music, Feminism

How to Cite:

Hamann, M., (2025) ““Cherry Bomb”: The Role of Female Rage in Amplifying Feminism and Reproductive Rights”, Footnotes: A Journal of History 7, 26-43.