Betty Friedan's Contribution To The Feminist Movement

Betty Friedan wrote the book based on a survey she did for her former Smith College classmates on the their fifteenth anniversary reunion. The results of the survey showed that many of her former classmates were unhappy, despite being affluent and married with children. The reason her Smith College alumnus were so unhappy was due to the fact that their lives consisted of taking care of her family and children, but not doing anything that held significance to themselves and the nation. Her book The Feminine Mystique, was a major influence of the 1960s and 70s American Feminist Movement, selling 1.4 million copies.The Feminine Mystique, made in 1963 is a nonfiction book that is based on the lives and unhappiness housewives felt during the early 50s and 60s. The reason this book was so popular and influenced the 1960s and 70s American Feminist Movement was due to the books widespread relatability among housewives who were financially stable with children, the book impelled women to fight for a change in salary, the workplace, and laws; during a time where women did not have the same equal rights as men. Another popular writer during the 1960s and 70s American Feminist Movement is Robin Morgan. Robin Morgan is an

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest feminist activists’ interest group of United States that seeks to protect the individual rights of women. The influential success of NOW can be understood through following factors. Its’ concrete background; nearly half century worth of history as foundation; well structured organization; membership incentives; the function and approach of NOW/PAC and NEP; up to date Statement of Purpose; high priority to key issues that benefits society as a whole; and lastly the services that NOW provides on the global scale.

The National Organization for Women (NOW), a feminist organization, was formed in Washington, D.C. on June 30, 1966 (National Organization for Women [NOW], n.d.). It was established by twenty-eight women and led by Betty Friedan (NOW, n.d.). This group was created due to the discrimination and unfair treatment that women were facing as they moved from work in the home to public employment. NOW work to bring equality for women and “focuses on a broad range of women’s rights, including economic justice, pay equity, racial discrimination, women’s health and body image, women with disabilities, reproductive rights and justice, family law, marriage and family formation rights…” (NOW, n.d.). Their goal is to stop harassment and discrimination against women in society such as in the work force, schools, government,

One organization in particular has made a huge impact on Women's Rights, The National Organization for Women. "We have so much to learn from each other; but, more importantly, the world's policymakers need more and better information about women's lives that is informed by women themselves." The National Organization for Women was founded in 1966. Betty Friedan was the first elected president of the NOW. The NOW has made essential progress or women, they rose awareness to the fact that women were not treated equally to men. The NOW also laid out the main issues for women's equality; education, employment, political participation, family life, media, and domestic violence. The national Organization for Women's motto, or purpose is "to take action" to achieve the equality of women. The first NOW convention was in 1967, after the founding conference. The NOW decided to focus on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and getting it passed. Without this amendment women would not be able to make broad steps in future. "Men are not the enemy, but the fellow victims. The real enemy is women's denigration of themselves." -Betty

National Organization of Women was created in 1966. By October 300 women and men had become charter members. Officials were elected, Kathryn Clarenbach as The Chair of Board, Betty Friedan as the President, Aileen Hernandez, who had announced her resignation from the EEOC. Betty strongly believed in the rights of women. After founding the NOW she ended up stepping down from the presidency position because of fighting issues among other members. Still believing that women didn't have to follow the regular expectations of the government or the others. This quote from Betty Friedan gives an idea on how the NOW was somewhat based off of before problems between the women and men.” The feminist revolution had to be fought because women quite simply were stopped at a state of evolution far short of their human capacity. The feminist revolution had to be fought because women quite simply were stopped at a state of evolution far short of their human capacity. “gives an example on how thinking and what went through Betty head. Saying this quote describes how the NOW reacted and how Betty personally thought and maybe fought a little bit harder than others. Closing how the NOW was created Betty did play a large role, including how many people Betty tried to help with the new problems but people could not agree with Betty so they were usually always

The National Organization for Women is an organization that focuses on obtaining total equal rights for women. Founded in 1966, their work includes gaining social rights, family rights, economic rights, and just general human being rights, among others, for women, which are still lacking in today's society. Actions that they have taken include decreasing the wage gap, expanding knowledge on women's health issues, gaining marriage and family rights, and targeting the lack of realistic representation of women in our society. The National Organization for Women also operates on an international base, with the United Nations as their main international focus. Even so, though the majority of their actions are focused with the United States.

Work Book 2002 states “Women’s group have changed many people’s views about male and female roles. These changes have affected the workplace, the family, and the way women live their lives. Through the vote, women’s groups have influenced election results and government.” (Donald 387). After gaining women’s suffrage, the National American Woman Suffrage Association became the League of Women Voters, which educated women voters about current political issues. Although the women’s movement died down after the 19th Amendment, it thrived once again in the 1960’s to combat against what was the considered the traditional house-wife’s role and fight gender discrimination. Two types of women’s, women’s liberation groups and women’s rights group, worked to fight against sexism in society. Women’s liberation groups were small, leaderless, and informal, focusing on self- awareness, equality in marriage, education, and employment. Women’s rights groups, on the other hand, were larger formal organizations compared to women’s liberation groups and sought the creation and enforcement of laws that promoted equal rights. The Women’s Equity Action League, a women’s rights group founded in 1968, discovered an environment where female students were often discouraged from participating in class, labeled the “chilly

By the inspiring of the author Betty Friedan, many women was awaken , didn’t want to be housewives anymore, they desire to go outside and get freedom. this book gave women a rebirth, it was called “feminism”. At that time, Friedan and the other women build up the National Organization for Women simplified as NOW works on fighting equal right gpr women in each field in society. (textbook page 689) By affecting of it, more and more women went to college to learn knowledge to change their own future. They know that the women need to have equal right as the man in society, many women begin to accept this

There were civil rights protests against the middle-class housewife's role contributed to the second wave of women’s movement women began to examine their personal lives (Walden 12). The gains made by women in the 1920’s sparked their want for more equality. Women began to pressure Congress to pass laws that created more employment opportunities for women. Feminist leaders began to create groups to fight sexual discrimination. One of these groups was the National Organization for Women (NOW) which was founded in 1966 (Walden

In 1963, Friedan wrote and published her book “The Feminine Mystique,” which aimed toward bringing attention to equality for women. Most impressively, she helped to form the National Organization for Women (NOW) in 1966. Later on in 1969, she co-founded the National Abortion action League,

The founding of the National Organization for Women, included a group of feminist women who established the National Organization for Women, also known as NOW. This organization was formed by not one woman, but by twenty-eight women who were willing

In the book The Feminine Mystique, Betty Friedan brings attention to what she calls the feminine mystique, or “the problem that has no name”. Through the use of anecdotal narratives, her own personal experiences as a journalist, editor, mother, and the interviews of many women from different backgrounds in order to unveil the truth about the women of the 1950’s. The problem which sparked the second wave of feminism in the United States is one that focuses on the inequality between men and women and the undervaluing of women in both the social and private spheres. The women of the time gave up pursuing their passions, such as getting an education or careers in science or business in order to fit the image of the stereotypical stay-at-home mom whose main goal in life is to raise her children while providing a safe and comforting home for her husband. The Feminine Mystique, as she called it, was the idea of widespread unhappiness of women, despite the preconceived notion that women were happiest when they have a family. Throughout her work, she dives into many of the problems associated with the feminine mystique and builds a powerful concept of what would eventually be labeled feminism.

Friedan, along with other feminist leaders work endlessly to prohibit discrimination of gender, gain equal pay for women, and protect their rights. They attend conferences to make their goal a reality. The equal pay act is passed by congress in the summer of 1963. A year later the Civil Rights Act is approved protecting women and minorities from discrimination in the workplace. These enforcements give hope and a reason continue the fight for equality beyond law and onto women's lives. Co-founding the National organization For Women in the 1966 Betty is the organization's first president. NOWs purpose is to fulfill true equality for all women. ( clip) On august 1970 women celebrate the 50th anniversary of women's suffrage. Friedan joins this

Our interest in Frieden arose by her controversial thoughts when she spoke and wrote about them to the public. Despite being criticized by the media, she pressed on. Knowing that one person has the courage to aspire change influences others to speak up. That was why Betty Friedan was successful in advocating for women. We value her commitment as a feminist and admire her willingness to take a stand in history.

     In the aftermath of World War II, the lives of the women have changed dramatically. Women spoke their minds out and wanted to be heard. World War II brought them a new outlook on how they should live their lives. It encouraged women organize social movements such as boycotts and public marches pushing for their human rights and protect them against discrimination. Alongside, they formed their own organization representing them against the federal government like the NOW or National Organization for Women. Through the years, women have been struggling to fight for equal rights and unfortunately still exist even at the present in some areas. Yes, women’s status was not like what they used to back then, where their