National Organization for Women (NOW)

Definition

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is a feminist organization founded in 1966 that advocates for women's rights and gender equality in various areas including politics, the workplace, and society. NOW emerged to address the lack of women's voices in the civil rights movement and aims to promote equal opportunities and fight against discrimination, particularly focusing on gender discrimination and the right to petition the government for change.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. NOW was founded with the goal of bringing women into full participation in mainstream American society now, in fully equal partnership with men.
2. The organization played a significant role in campaigning for the Equal Rights Amendment, which sought to ensure equal rights under the law regardless of sex.
3. NOW's formation was inspired by the dissatisfaction with the limited focus on women's issues in existing civil rights organizations during the 1960s.
4. Over the years, NOW has focused on various issues including reproductive rights, workplace equality, ending violence against women, and promoting political participation.
5. NOW has utilized grassroots activism and lobbying efforts to advocate for legislative changes at both state and federal levels, emphasizing the right to petition government authorities for gender equality.

Review Questions

• How did the National Organization for Women (NOW) address the issue of gender discrimination during its early years?
  • In its early years, NOW focused on raising awareness about gender discrimination by highlighting inequalities faced by women in various sectors, including employment, education, and politics. The organization organized protests, advocated for legislative changes, and worked to mobilize women to participate actively in their communities. By doing so, NOW sought to challenge societal norms that limited women's roles and pushed for policies that would ensure equal treatment and opportunities for women.
• Evaluate the impact of NOW's advocacy efforts on women's rights legislation in the United States.
  • NOW's advocacy efforts significantly influenced women's rights legislation by bringing critical issues to the forefront of public discourse. Through campaigns for laws like Title IX and support for the Equal Rights Amendment, NOW helped shape legal frameworks that addressed gender discrimination. The organization's persistent lobbying and grassroots activism contributed to legislative changes that improved educational opportunities and workplace protections for women, fostering a greater awareness of gender equality issues in American society.
• Analyze how the strategies employed by NOW have evolved over time in response to changing social dynamics regarding women's rights.
  • Over time, NOW has adapted its strategies to respond to shifting social dynamics concerning women's rights. Initially focused on basic legal equality and reproductive rights, the organization has expanded its scope to address intersectional issues like race, sexuality, and economic status that affect women differently. In recent years, NOW has utilized digital activism and social media to engage younger generations, highlighting contemporary issues such as sexual harassment and violence against women. This evolution reflects a broader understanding of feminism as inclusive and multifaceted while maintaining a commitment to petitioning for justice and equality.

Related terms

Feminism: A social and political movement that seeks to achieve equality between genders, advocating for women's rights and addressing issues such as discrimination, reproductive rights, and workplace equity.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA): A proposed amendment to the United States Constitution aimed at guaranteeing equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex, which was heavily supported by NOW.

Title IX:

A federal law enacted in 1972 that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.