The pioneering author known for the feminist text “The Feminine Mystique” is Betty Friedan. Published in 1963, her book is credited with sparking the second wave of feminism in the United States. Friedan challenged the notion that a woman’s fulfillment could be found solely through homemaking and encouraged women to pursue their identities beyond traditional roles. The text highlighted the frustration and isolation many women experienced during that era. Friedan's work galvanized a movement, advocating for gender equality and inspiring future generations of feminists to seek change in societal norms.