National Organization for Women (NOW)

Definition

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is an American feminist organization founded in 1966 that advocates for women's rights and gender equality. It was established to address the discrimination faced by women in various aspects of life, including employment, education, and reproductive rights, and played a crucial role in the Women's Liberation Movement by promoting activism and policy changes aimed at achieving equality.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. NOW was founded in 1966 during a time of increased activism for civil rights and social justice, responding to the lack of progress on women's issues.
2. The organization's first president, Betty Friedan, was also a prominent author whose book 'The Feminine Mystique' helped ignite the modern feminist movement.
3. NOW has played a significant role in lobbying for legislation that protects women's rights, including the Equal Pay Act and Title IX.
4. The organization focuses on issues such as reproductive rights, economic justice, and ending violence against women, making it a multifaceted advocate for women's issues.
5. NOW has been involved in several high-profile campaigns and demonstrations, including efforts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and push for affordable childcare.

Review Questions

• How did the founding of NOW reflect the broader goals of the Women's Liberation Movement in the 1960s?
  • The founding of NOW in 1966 represented a critical moment in the Women's Liberation Movement as it formalized efforts to combat gender discrimination and advocate for women's rights. It brought together activists who sought to address issues such as workplace inequality, reproductive rights, and legal protections against discrimination. By establishing a national platform for women's issues, NOW helped galvanize support for feminist goals and mobilized women across the country to demand equality.
• Evaluate the impact of NOW's advocacy on key legislation affecting women's rights during the late 20th century.
  • NOW's advocacy significantly influenced key legislation affecting women's rights throughout the late 20th century. The organization was instrumental in pushing for the passage of laws such as the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which aimed to eliminate wage disparity based on sex, and Title IX in 1972, which prohibited sex discrimination in education. Through lobbying efforts, grassroots campaigns, and public awareness initiatives, NOW helped raise consciousness about gender inequality and pressured lawmakers to enact policies that fostered greater equity for women.
• Assess how NOW's ongoing initiatives reflect changing societal attitudes toward gender equality in contemporary America.
  • NOW's ongoing initiatives demonstrate how societal attitudes toward gender equality have evolved while still highlighting persistent challenges. As conversations around intersectionality, LGBTQ+ rights, and economic disparities gain prominence, NOW has adapted its focus to include these dimensions of equality. By addressing contemporary issues such as reproductive rights access, wage equity, and violence against women, NOW not only reflects changing societal values but also serves as a critical voice advocating for comprehensive gender equality in an increasingly complex socio-political landscape.

Related terms

Feminism: A social and political movement advocating for the rights of women on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA):

A proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex.

Title IX:

A federal law enacted in 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or education program that receives federal funding.