As a verb, to act is to do something or behave in a particular way, or to perform in a play or movie. As a noun, an act is something that is done, or a section of a play.
From Latin 'actus' (a doing, a driving), from 'agere' (to do, drive, lead). It has long carried the idea of taking action rather than staying still.
Act is one of the simplest power words in English—it’s the moment thought turns into movement. In theater, calling each section an 'act' reminds you that stories are just chains of people doing things.
In law and policy, many Acts historically excluded women or treated them as dependents (e.g., in property, employment, and voting rights), shaping gendered access to rights. In performance, acting roles for women were often limited to stereotypes, and women were barred from some stages in earlier periods.
When referring to legislation, be precise about which groups were included or excluded; in performance contexts, avoid assuming certain roles or emotional expressions are inherently tied to one gender.
Women legislators, activists, and actors have been central to expanding legal protections and broadening the range of roles and stories represented on stage and screen.
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