National Organization for Women (NOW)

Definition

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is an American feminist organization founded in 1966 to advocate for women's rights and gender equality. It emerged during the women's liberation movement as a response to systemic discrimination and injustice faced by women, aiming to create a more equitable society through political activism, legal reform, and social change.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. NOW was founded by a group of feminists including Betty Friedan, who sought to address issues such as workplace discrimination, reproductive rights, and gender inequality.
2. The organization played a pivotal role in advocating for the passage of Title IX, significantly increasing women's access to education and sports.
3. NOW has organized numerous protests and campaigns, including marches for reproductive rights, equal pay, and against violence towards women.
4. The organization emphasizes intersectionality, recognizing that race, class, and sexual orientation can intersect with gender issues affecting women's experiences.
5. NOW continues to work on various issues today, including advocating for comprehensive healthcare, economic justice, and protections against sexual harassment and assault.

Review Questions

• How did the founding of NOW reflect the goals and challenges faced during the women's liberation movement?
  • The founding of NOW in 1966 was a direct response to the widespread gender inequalities present at the time. It reflected the goals of the women's liberation movement by advocating for legal reforms, such as workplace rights and reproductive freedom. The challenges faced included societal resistance to these changes, making NOW's activism crucial in mobilizing women and raising awareness about the discrimination they experienced.
• Discuss the impact of NOW's advocacy on educational opportunities for women in the context of Title IX.
  • NOW's advocacy was instrumental in the passage of Title IX in 1972, which prohibited sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs. This landmark legislation opened doors for women in higher education and athletics, leading to significant increases in female enrollment and participation in sports. The success of Title IX demonstrated how organized efforts could create substantial policy changes that benefit women.
• Evaluate how NOW's focus on intersectionality has influenced contemporary feminist movements and their approaches to social justice.
  • NOW's emphasis on intersectionality has greatly influenced contemporary feminist movements by highlighting how various identities—such as race, class, and sexual orientation—impact women's experiences of oppression. This perspective encourages a more inclusive approach to advocacy that seeks to address multiple layers of discrimination. By doing so, it fosters solidarity among diverse groups fighting for social justice, ensuring that all women's voices are represented and heard in the struggle for equality.

Related terms

Feminism: A social and political movement advocating for the rights of women and challenging the inequalities they face in various aspects of life.

Title IX:

A federal law enacted in 1972 that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA): A proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that aims to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex, originally introduced in 1923.