The Big Picture
- Despite criticism over the show perpetuating homemaker stereotypes, The Donna Reed Show was more feminist than it seemed as it featured a strong, independent housewife who made choices for her family.
- The ABC sitcom broke ground by focusing on the mother instead of the father, addressing topics like adoption and women's rights.
- Donna Reed herself stood up to network executives and hired blacklisted writers, demonstrating her commitment to challenging societal norms.