The National
Organization for Women is the largest organization of feminists in the
United States. NOW has
500,000 members and chapters in all 50 states and the District of
Columbia. NOW was
established on June 30, 1966 in Washington D.C. by women attending the
Third National Conference of the Commission on the Status of Women. Set up
in 1961, the Commission reported in 1963 that despite having won the right
to vote, women in the United States still were discriminated against in
virtually every aspect of life. Among NOW’s
28 founders was its first president, Betty Friedan, author of
The Feminine Mystique.
Since its founding,
NOW’s goal has been "to take action" to bring
about equality for women. NOW
members are accomplishing this goal through the legislature and the
courts and by influencing public opinion.
NOW activists do extensive electoral and lobbying work and
bring lawsuits. They also organize mass marches, rallies, pickets,
non-violent civil disobedience and immediate, response "zap" actions.
NOW’s official
priorities include:
Winning economic equality and securing it
with an amendment to the Constitution
Championing reproductive freedom and other
women’s health issues
Opposing racism and fighting bigotry against
gays and lesbians
