National Organization for Women

Definition

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is an American feminist organization founded in 1966 that advocates for women's rights and equality in various aspects of society. It emerged as a response to the lack of attention given to women's issues in the civil rights movement and aimed to promote gender equality through legislative action, public education, and grassroots organizing. NOW played a crucial role in highlighting issues such as workplace discrimination, reproductive rights, and equal pay, all of which have been central to the feminist art movement's fight for representation and inclusion.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. NOW was founded in 1966 by a group of feminists including Betty Friedan, who also wrote 'The Feminine Mystique.'
2. The organization has played a significant role in advocating for legislative changes, including the Equal Pay Act and Title IX of the Education Amendments.
3. NOW organized protests and campaigns, such as the 1970 Women's Strike for Equality, which highlighted the need for women's rights across various sectors.
4. The organization emphasizes intersectionality, recognizing that women of different races, sexual orientations, and socio-economic backgrounds face unique challenges.
5. Today, NOW continues to advocate for reproductive rights, combating sexual harassment, and fighting against violence toward women.

Review Questions

• How did the founding of the National Organization for Women reflect the broader goals of the Feminist Art Movement?
  • The founding of NOW in 1966 was a direct response to the insufficient representation of women's issues in society, which paralleled the goals of the Feminist Art Movement. Both sought to challenge patriarchal norms and create spaces where women's experiences were validated and expressed. The movement emphasized not just artistic expression but also societal change through activism, mirroring NOW's commitment to legislative advocacy and public awareness campaigns aimed at achieving gender equality.
• In what ways did NOW influence legislative changes related to women's rights during its early years?
  • NOW significantly influenced legislative changes by mobilizing grassroots efforts and advocating for key policies that improved women's rights. The organization lobbied for the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Title IX in 1972, which prohibited sex discrimination in federally funded education programs. These initiatives were critical in creating legal frameworks that supported gender equality in education and employment, helping pave the way for future advancements in women’s rights.
• Evaluate the impact of NOW's advocacy on contemporary feminist movements and how they address intersectionality within women's rights.
  • NOW's advocacy has laid a foundational framework for contemporary feminist movements by emphasizing not only gender equality but also intersectionality. By recognizing that women from diverse backgrounds face varying levels of discrimination and inequality, NOW has helped shape discussions around race, class, sexuality, and ability within feminism. This broadening of focus has encouraged newer generations of feminists to adopt more inclusive approaches that address multiple layers of oppression while striving for comprehensive social justice.

Related terms

Feminist Art Movement: A movement that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s, focusing on creating art that addressed women's experiences, gender roles, and social inequalities.

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

Consciousness-Raising: A practice within feminist movements aimed at increasing awareness of women's rights and issues through group discussions and personal storytelling.