Reddit reviews Women and the History of Philosophy

Now the association of rationality with masculinity can be traced throughout the Western philosophical canon. Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Kant, and Hegel all invoke the importance of rationality, but none of them really make room for women in philosophical inquiry. Thus, French feminism tries to carve out a space for women in thinking and writing. Hélène Cixous, a close friend of Jacques Derrida, also tries to capture what it means for women to write since writing is plagued by the dissemination of masculine thought. To be sure, the movement is baffling to most, but they have very interesting criticisms of philosophical discourse that take form outside of the typical "philosophical work". The idea is the challenge our notions of philosophy by adhering less and less to their criteria for inclusion.

Further Reading:

Tuana, Women and the History of Philosophy

Cixous, "The Laugh of the Medusa"

Irigaray, Speculum of the Other woman