National Organization for Women (NOW)

Definition

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is an American feminist organization founded in 1966, aimed at advocating for women's rights and promoting equality across various aspects of society. NOW emerged in response to the slow progress of the civil rights movement, seeking to address issues such as workplace discrimination, reproductive rights, and gender-based violence, positioning itself as a crucial player in feminist activism and organizing throughout the late 20th century.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. NOW was established in 1966 by a group of activists, including Betty Friedan, who sought to address both formal and informal inequalities faced by women.
2. The organization played a significant role in lobbying for the Equal Rights Amendment, which aimed to eliminate gender discrimination in the U.S. Constitution.
3. NOW's early efforts focused on workplace equality, advocating for issues like equal pay, maternity leave, and sexual harassment policies.
4. The organization has been influential in raising awareness and pushing for legislation related to reproductive rights, including access to contraception and abortion services.
5. NOW continues to be active today, addressing contemporary issues such as intersectionality, LGBTQ+ rights, and domestic violence.

Review Questions

• How did the founding of NOW reflect the broader social changes occurring in the 1960s?
  • The founding of NOW reflected the broader social changes of the 1960s by embodying the urgency for women's rights amidst the civil rights movement and a growing awareness of systemic inequalities. The organization emerged as a response to women's dissatisfaction with existing feminist movements that often sidelined their needs. By focusing on both legislative advocacy and grassroots activism, NOW highlighted how social justice was interconnected with gender equality during a transformative era in American history.
• In what ways has NOW influenced legislative changes related to women's rights since its inception?
  • Since its inception, NOW has significantly influenced legislative changes regarding women's rights through aggressive lobbying and public campaigns. The organization's efforts have led to the introduction of critical laws aimed at combating gender discrimination in employment and education. Moreover, NOW's push for the Equal Rights Amendment exemplifies its commitment to constitutional guarantees for gender equality, showcasing how advocacy can shape policy and societal norms.
• Evaluate the impact of NOW's focus on intersectionality in contemporary feminist activism and how it shapes current discussions on race and gender.
  • NOW's focus on intersectionality has greatly impacted contemporary feminist activism by recognizing that women's experiences are shaped by overlapping identities such as race, class, and sexual orientation. This shift has led to a more inclusive approach within feminist discourse, addressing how systemic oppression varies among different groups. As a result, current discussions on race and gender are increasingly framed around the need for solidarity among diverse communities, emphasizing that achieving gender equality must also involve confronting racism and other forms of discrimination.

Related terms

Feminism: A social and political movement advocating for the rights and equality of women in relation to men.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA): A proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution aimed at guaranteeing equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex.

Women’s Liberation Movement: A social movement that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s focused on achieving equal rights and opportunities for women.