Sitcom Title: Maude
Years Aired: 1972-1978
Stars: Bea Arthur, Bill Macy, Adrienne Barbeau, Conrad Bain, Rue McClanahan
Feminist Focus: A liberal, independent feminist who may be even more radical after hitting middle age and isn't afraid to tell anyone what she thinks.
Bea Arthur starred as the title character in the 1970s feminist sitcom Maude. The feminism of Maude manifested itself through her political views in support of the Democratic Party, civil rights, abortion rights and other aspects of the Women’s Liberation Movement.
Who is Maude?
Maude was a spinoff of another Norman Lear show, All in the Family. The liberal views and feminism of Maude were first seen on that show when Maude sparred with the so-called “lovable bigot” Archie Bunker as his wife Edith’s cousin who visited the Bunker family.
In her spinoff, the character Maude Findlay is married to her fourth husband. She has a daughter from her first marriage who is also an outspoken feminist.
The Famous Maude Abortion
One of the most famous examples of the feminism of Maude occurs when Maude has an abortion. In a story told over two episodes that aired in November 1972, Maude becomes pregnant at age 47 and decides to terminate the pregnancy. Although this was before Roe v. Wade, abortion was legal in New York at the time, as Maude’s daughter points out to her. The daughter declares, “When you were young, abortion was a dirty word. It isn’t anymore.” The abortion episode was rerun in 1973, and some stations refused to air it.
Outspoken Feminists
The feminism of Maude may have been off-putting to some. The character delivered impassioned speeches and spoke her mind. She was considered an “extreme” feminist, the kind who would “scare” people. However, this may have more accurately meant that her opinions and her fearlessness about saying them made people uncomfortable.
Other feminist issues that appear in Maude include sexual liberation, whether women should keep their maiden names when they marry, equal employment opportunity and rape.
Throughout the show’s run, political feminism was a constant presence on Maude.