National Organization for Women (NOW)

Definition

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is a feminist organization founded in 1966 that focuses on advocating for women's rights and equality across various aspects of society. NOW emerged during the second wave of feminism and has played a crucial role in addressing key issues like reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, and violence against women, striving to ensure that women have equal opportunities and protections under the law.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. NOW was founded in response to the lack of women's representation and advocacy in the civil rights movement and other social justice movements of the 1960s.
2. The organization has been instrumental in lobbying for legislation such as the Equal Pay Act and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act to promote workplace equality.
3. NOW's first president was Betty Friedan, who is also known for her influential book 'The Feminine Mystique', which sparked widespread discussion about women's roles in society.
4. The organization has played a significant role in shaping public policy related to reproductive rights, including access to contraception and abortion services.
5. NOW's activism has extended beyond women's rights to include issues of racial and economic justice, recognizing that gender inequality intersects with other forms of discrimination.

Review Questions

• How did the National Organization for Women (NOW) influence the political landscape regarding women's rights in the late 20th century?
  • NOW significantly influenced the political landscape by mobilizing grassroots activism and lobbying for legislative changes aimed at advancing women's rights. The organization's efforts helped pass critical laws like the Equal Pay Act and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which addressed workplace inequality. By creating awareness and rallying support around key issues such as reproductive rights, NOW positioned itself as a leading voice in advocating for gender equality.
• In what ways did NOW's founding reflect the broader goals of second-wave feminism?
  • NOW's founding reflected second-wave feminism's broader goals by addressing systemic inequalities faced by women across various sectors, including employment, education, and health care. The organization's mission to advocate for legislative change aimed at achieving equality aligned with second-wave feminism's focus on personal autonomy and social justice. By prioritizing issues such as reproductive rights and workplace discrimination, NOW embodied the era's commitment to challenging patriarchal structures.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of NOW on contemporary feminist movements and gender equality initiatives.
  • The long-term impact of NOW on contemporary feminist movements is profound, as it established a framework for organized activism that continues to influence modern gender equality initiatives. Through its advocacy work, NOW helped to normalize discussions around women's rights and set precedents for future movements addressing intersectionality in feminism. Additionally, its role in shaping key legislation laid the groundwork for ongoing struggles against gender-based violence and discrimination, making it a pivotal player in both historical and present-day efforts towards achieving gender equality.

Related terms

Second-Wave Feminism: A period of feminist activity that began in the early 1960s and continued into the 1980s, focusing on issues like gender equality, reproductive rights, and social justice.

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, which was heavily supported by NOW.

Title IX:

A federal law passed in 1972 that prohibits discrimination based on sex in any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance, significantly impacting women's access to education and sports.