Establishment of the National Organization for Women (NOW)

Name: Establishment of the National Organization for Women (NOW)
Start: 1966-10-29
Location: Unspecified

The Birth of NOW

Betty Friedan Leads the Way

In 1966, the National Organization for Women (NOW) was founded at an organizing conference in Washington D.C., marking a pivotal moment in the feminist movement in the United States. The conference attracted around 300 women from across the country and served as a clarion call for equality. Among the attendees was the influential feminist writer Betty Friedan, whose book, The Feminine Mystique, had ignited passionate discussions about women's roles in society. At this conference, Friedan was elected as the organization's first president, solidifying her role as a leader in the fight for gender equality.

Goals and Objectives of NOW

The primary goals of NOW included advocating for women's rights in areas such as employment, education, reproductive rights, and legal equality. The organization aimed to address the pervasive discrimination women faced and to push for reforms that would guarantee equality under the law. NOW also emphasized the need for comprehensive legislation to eliminate gender discrimination, drawing national attention to the barriers women faced in personal and professional realms.

Impact and Legacy

NOW’s Role in the Women’s Movement

NOW quickly became a leading voice in the women’s rights movement, influencing public policy and societal attitudes towards gender issues. The organization's activism played a significant role in important legislative changes, including the passage of the Equal Pay Act and the Title IX educational amendment, which prohibits gender discrimination in federally funded education programs. NOW's commitment to advocacy transformed the landscape for women's rights, creating a framework that future generations would build upon.

Continued Advocacy and Evolution

Over the years, NOW has adapted to address evolving issues affecting women, advocating against domestic violence, sexual harassment, and for reproductive rights. Its founding principles remain deeply ingrained in its mission, continuing to inspire activism today. NOW remains a crucial force in advancing the agenda of gender equality not just in the U.S. but globally.

Fun Fact

Betty Friedan’s Influential Writing

Interestingly, before founding NOW, Betty Friedan conducted a survey of her Smith College classmates, which revealed that a large percentage were unhappy despite living the so-called 'American Dream'. This revelation contributed significantly to the themes of The Feminine Mystique, which sought to challenge societal norms.