Early influences on a leading figure in modern feminism, Betty Friedan, can be traced back to her upbringing. Friedan grew up in a traditional family where expectations for women were largely centered around domesticity. Witnessing these gender disparities sparked her interest in women's rights and led her to write "The Feminine Mystique." Her experiences and observations of societal norms propelled her into the feminist movement, where she became an instrumental advocate for women’s liberation and challenging conventional roles.