National Organization for Women (NOW)

Definition

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is a feminist advocacy group founded in 1966 that aims to promote gender equality and advocate for women's rights in various aspects of life. It emerged as a response to the lack of attention to women's issues within the civil rights movement and seeks to address systemic inequalities faced by women in society, including those in the arts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. NOW was founded in 1966 by a group of feminists who were frustrated with the slow progress of women's rights and aimed to create a strong voice for women in America.
2. The organization played a crucial role in advocating for the passage of legislation related to gender equality, including the Equal Pay Act and Title IX of the Education Amendments.
3. NOW organized significant campaigns that highlighted issues like workplace discrimination, reproductive rights, and violence against women, aiming to raise public awareness.
4. Through its efforts, NOW has influenced many women artists by providing support and resources that empower them to challenge gender norms in their work.
5. The organization continues to be active today, addressing contemporary issues such as intersectionality and advocating for marginalized voices within feminism.

Review Questions

• How did the founding of NOW reflect the needs and aspirations of women artists during its inception?
  • The founding of NOW reflected a growing frustration among women artists who felt marginalized within both the art world and broader society. The organization's mission to advocate for women's rights resonated with these artists, as they sought equal opportunities for recognition, representation, and compensation in their fields. By addressing systemic inequalities, NOW empowered women artists to challenge societal norms and assert their place in the art community.
• Discuss the role of NOW in advancing legislation that benefited women artists and how this connected to broader feminist goals.
  • NOW played a pivotal role in advancing legislation such as Title IX, which aimed to eliminate gender discrimination in education. This had a direct impact on women artists by ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities in the arts. By advocating for laws that supported women's rights more broadly, NOW contributed to an environment where women could pursue careers in art with less institutional barriers, aligning with the organization's overarching feminist goals.
• Evaluate the ongoing impact of NOW on contemporary discussions around intersectionality within the arts and how it relates to the legacy of the women's suffrage movement.
  • The ongoing impact of NOW on contemporary discussions around intersectionality has significantly shaped how we view gender equality within the arts today. By recognizing that issues such as race, class, and sexuality intersect with gender, NOW has encouraged a more inclusive approach that echoes the complexities seen during the women's suffrage movement. This legacy fosters dialogue among diverse groups, allowing various voices within the arts to be amplified while continuing to challenge systemic inequities faced by all women artists.

Related terms

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

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA): A proposed amendment to the United States Constitution designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex.

Second Wave Feminism: A period of feminist activity from the 1960s to the 1980s focusing on issues such as equality in the workplace, reproductive rights, and sexual liberation.