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Being the advocate for all American women, The National Organization for Women, also known as NOW, has fought for and kept aware the importance of women’s rights and respect. Born out of frustration from the slow process of fixing women’s issues, even after JFK’s 1962 formation of the President's Commission on the Status of Women in the United States, Betty Friedan and other activists at the time established the NOW in 1966. The organization grew in popularity immediately. The group reached out to women of minorities to gain support, as well as involved themselves with political activities such as picketing businesses and politicians and mass mailings. This helped them gain popularity and support from all races of women and to promote legislation in favor of women. The National Organization for Women were advocates for a broad range of issues among women in America, such as abortion and reproductive rights, discrimination, and economic equality. At the end of the 20th century, the NOW had become the largest, and most well-constructed women’s group. Currently, there are over 550 local chapters in all 50 states and there are over 500,000 active members.

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50 Years of the National Organization for Women

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Video created for the annual national conference of NOW, looking back at 50 years of progress for the rights of women and looking ahead to even more.

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She changed the minds of American women, as her passion charmed all. Betty Friedan, born February 14th, 1921, was a feminist organizer, lecturer and writer. Friedan wrote several influential books regarding feminism as well as gave lectures at over 50 universities, institutes, and worldwide professional associations. One of her most popular books, The Feminine Mystique, put her in the spotlight. Betty soon became one of the founders of the NOW and served as its president until 1970. During her presidency she set the NOW in a strong position and helped it grow in popularity. Leading the women’s movement, she spoke out on common issues regarding American women and encouraged women to engage themselves in the work force, pushing past their given “label.”  Betty Friedan wrote in many popular magazines including Saturday’s Review, Harper’s, and New York Times, as well as found the First Women's Bank & Trust Co. in New York City. Through all of her accomplishments, she secured herself a memorable spot in history, and will forever be known as the mother of feminism.

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Betty Friedan - Women's History - HISTORY.com

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Find out more about the history of Betty Friedan, including videos, interesting articles, pictures, historical features and more. Get all the facts on HISTORY.com

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Elizabeth Rholetter Purdy. "National Organization for Women (NOW)." St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, Gale, 2013. U.S. History in Context,

link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/DCHXYL078300084/UHIC?u=eliz67579&xid=61e2d5a6. Accessed 12 May 2017.

"Betty Friedan." Newsmakers, Gale, 1994. Biography in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1618000225/BIC1?u=eliz67579&xid=bb8ba4b8. Accessed 15 May 2017.

Kallen, Stuart A. Women of the 1960s. San Diego: Lucent, n.d. Print.

"National Organization for Women." The Sixties in America Reference Library, edited by Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast, vol. 3: Primary Sources, UXL, 2005, pp. 87-93. U.S. History in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3441300079/UHIC?u=eliz67579&xid=17e2061e. Accessed 18 May 2017.

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https://nyti.ms/2jHXFLu

Within this excerpt from The Feminine Mystique, written by Betty Friedan, is the roles of women thoroughly explained. Friedan demonstrates the routine of an American housewife and their mindset, motivations, and goals to achieve a picture perfect family, and to keep their husband happy and healthy. During this time period, articles were written that told women how to be the perfect wife and it would give them guidelines on how to treat and act around their husband. Society set a standard for women, and those who broke it were often seen as rebellious or inappropriate. This infuriated many women, including Betty Friedan, who in this case, chose to speak out on it in hopes to change the standard for women in America. This document is not necessarily fact, but rather more opinion, for it is true for most American Women, but not all. Betty Friedan, a leading feminist in the 1960’s-70’s, would be a very credible source, because she was once a wife and a working woman, and has experience and insight on the lives of American women. Many people of her time period would agree with Friedan, that women must push past their stereotype and demand more rights, though there are some who resumed comfortable and happy being a housewife. This excerpt explains why the NOW was created and the desperate need for change.

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Through petitioning, rallies, and speeches, the NOW gave American women hope, and something to hold on to. During the 1960’s-70’s, women were unheard and told to “leave it to the men.” As one may assume, this was degrading to women and they had had enough. The NOW came to their rescue and not only physically changed the ways thing ran but also gave women a sense of peace and security. They knew their issues were being handled and dealt with, by professionals. As abortion became legalized, women employment rates rose, and countless other issues were addressed or even solved, the women of the 60’s and 70’s became brave, and finally took a step outside of the house.

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The National Organization for Women was played a very important role in US women’s history. It advocated for and solved a large amount of issues among American women. Without it, women potentially may not have gotten as far in society as they have and would have not had opportunities they were granted in the past. For example, women would not be as embedded in the workforce as they currently are if it were not for the NOW because they fought laws that restricted women from entering the workforce. The NOW still exists today and is still advocating for women. Women’s rights and respect is still being fought for, but would not have accomplished as much without the NOW.