National Organization for Women

Definition

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is a feminist organization founded in 1966 that advocates for women's rights and gender equality across various aspects of society. It emerged during a time of significant cultural movements and social transformations, aiming to address issues such as workplace discrimination, reproductive rights, and the broader fight against gender-based oppression. NOW seeks to promote equal rights through grassroots activism, legislative advocacy, and public education.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. NOW was established with the mission to advocate for equal opportunities for women in the workplace, education, and society at large.
2. The organization's founding members included prominent feminists such as Betty Friedan, who authored 'The Feminine Mystique,' a book that sparked widespread discussion about women's roles in society.
3. NOW played a crucial role in lobbying for the Equal Rights Amendment, which sought to ensure that gender equality would be enshrined in the Constitution.
4. Throughout its history, NOW has organized protests, campaigns, and educational programs to raise awareness about issues such as domestic violence, sexual harassment, and reproductive rights.
5. The organization continues to address contemporary issues impacting women today, including intersectionality, LGBTQ+ rights, and economic justice.

Review Questions

• How did the founding of NOW reflect the broader cultural movements happening in the 1960s?
  • The founding of NOW in 1966 mirrored the larger cultural movements of the 1960s by highlighting the push for civil rights and social justice. As other movements sought equality for marginalized groups, women began to organize to address their own systemic oppression. NOW was born from this context of activism and aimed to challenge societal norms surrounding gender roles, thus contributing to a broader dialogue about equality.
• Discuss how NOW's advocacy efforts contributed to changes in legislation related to women's rights during the 1970s.
  • NOW's advocacy during the 1970s was pivotal in advancing women's rights legislation, particularly through their support for the Equal Rights Amendment. The organization mobilized grassroots support and coordinated lobbying efforts that brought national attention to issues such as pay equity and reproductive rights. Their persistent activism helped secure significant advancements in legal protections against gender discrimination in both education and employment.
• Evaluate the ongoing impact of NOW's initiatives on contemporary discussions about gender equality and women's rights.
  • NOW's initiatives have laid a foundational framework for ongoing discussions about gender equality and women's rights today. The organization's early focus on legislative advocacy paved the way for significant reforms that continue to influence current policies regarding workplace rights and reproductive health. Furthermore, NOW's commitment to intersectionality has broadened its agenda to include issues faced by diverse groups of women, ensuring that the fight for equality remains relevant in a rapidly changing social landscape.

Related terms

Feminism: A social and political movement advocating for the rights and equality of women in relation to men, encompassing a wide range of issues including reproductive rights, workplace equality, and sexual autonomy.

Equal Rights Amendment:

A proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution aimed at guaranteeing equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex, which was heavily supported by NOW during the 1970s.

Title IX: A federal law passed in 1972 that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity, significantly impacting women's participation in sports and education.