A cause is something that makes something else happen. It can also mean a goal or idea that people strongly support and work for.
From Old French 'cause', from Latin 'causa' meaning 'reason, motive, legal case'. The word has long been used both for why something happens and for a matter argued in court.
When you 'support a cause', you’re literally supporting a 'reason'—a reason to act, to protest, to change something. The same root sits quietly inside 'because', which just means 'by cause' or 'for this reason'.
Language around “the cause” has been used for many political movements, including women’s suffrage and feminist struggles, which were often minimized or framed as secondary to other causes. Women activists’ leadership has frequently been downplayed in historical accounts.
When referring to social causes, name women and gender-diverse leaders explicitly where relevant instead of treating them as anonymous supporters. Avoid implying that gender equity causes are niche compared to others.
["movement","campaign","issue"]
Women have led and organized many major social causes—from suffrage to labor and civil rights—yet their roles are often compressed into generic references; naming them restores historical accuracy.
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