National Organization for Women
Encyclopedia
The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest feminist organization in the United States
. It was founded in 1966 and has a membership of 500,000 contributing members. The organization consists of 550 chapters in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia
.
, by 28 women and men attending the Third National Conference of the Commission on the Status of Women, the successor to the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women
. It had been three years since the Commission reported findings of women being discriminated against. However, the 1966 Conference delegates were prohibited by the administration's rules for the conference from even passing resolutions recommending that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforce its legal mandate to end sex discrimination.
The founders included Betty Friedan
, the author of The Feminine Mystique
(1963), Rev. Pauli Murray
, the first African-American female Episcopal priest, and Shirley Chisholm
, the first Black woman to run for president of the United States of America. The movement spawned by Friedan's book is embodied in NOW, the National Organization for Women, which works to secure political, professional, and educational equality for women. Founded in 1966 with Betty Friedan acting as an organizer, NOW is a public voice for equal rights for women. It has been extremely effective in enacting rhetorical strategies that have brought about concrete changes in laws and policies that enlarge women's opportunities and protect their rights.
During the 1970s feminist leaders promoted the Equal Rights Amendment
to the U.S. Constitution. After Congress approved the amendment in 1972, it was quickly ratified by 28 states, and its passage seemed assured. However, a Stop ERA campaign, led by Phyllis Schlafly
, crushed the progress of the legislation. By 1973, of the needed 38 states, 35 had ratified the amendment, but no remaining state would ratify the ERA.
The organization remains active in lobbying legislatures and media outlets on feminist issues.
and Pauli Murray
wrote the organization's Statement of Purpose in 1966 (the original was scribbled on a napkin by Friedan). The statement described the purpose of NOW as "To take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now, exercising all privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal partnership with men."
The current membership brochure paraphrases and expands upon the above excerpt to read: "Our purpose is to take action to bring women into full participation in society—sharing equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities with men, while living free from discrimination." This brochure also states: "NOW is one of the few multi-issue progressive organizations in the United States. NOW stands against all oppression, recognizing that racism
, sexism
and homophobia
are interrelated, that other forms of oppression such as classism and ableism work together with these three to keep power and privilege concentrated in the hands of a few."
Justice for immigrant women: NOW supports "real 'immigration reform' legislation that provides a path to citizenship, promotes the reunification of families, includes protections against exploitation in the workplace, and doesn't include fences, walls or border prisons." The organization opposes Arizona's effort to discourage illegal immigration through SB 1070, and claims that "Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arapaio has been terrorizing [undocumented immigrants] by profiling, arresting and deporting the undocumented." NOW calls SB 1070 "cruel and unconstitutional" and officially supports the lawsuit filed against Arizona by the ACLU.
Global issues: According to NOW's bylaws, NOW's primary focus is on domestic American
issues; however, NOW does some work on other issues of importance to women and children globally. These issues include genocide
in Africa. NOW is also a coalition member with other feminist groups whose mission is global feminism
.
The national level of the organization is led by four elected national officers, by the national Board of Directors, and by national issues committees. These national leaders are responsible for implementing policy as formulated by the annual National Conference, for coordinating national actions, and for providing membership services. NOW has had ten national presidents, beginning with Betty Friedan in 1966. Terry O'Neill
, the currently serving national president, was elected in 2009.
, Ernesta Drinker Ballard
, Rita Mae Brown
, Shirley Chisholm
, Kathryn F. Clarenbach
, Mary Daly
, Warren Farrell
, Caroline Davis, Karen DeCrow
, Rosemary Dempsey
, Betty Friedan
, Sonia Pressman Fuentes
, Kim Gandy
, Judy Goldsmith
, Wilma Scott Heide
, Aileen Hernandez
, Shere Hite
, Phineas Indritz
, Patricia Ireland
, Florynce "Flo" Kennedy
, Phyllis Lyon, Del Martin, Kate Millett
, Virginia "Ginny" Montes, Pauli Murray
, Irma Newmark
, Sylvia Roberts, Barbara Seaman
, Eleanor Smeal
, Jean Witter, and Molly Yard
. Some were Presidents; some served in other capacities. In addition, NOW has given awards to women recognizing work outside of NOW and many others, who may be well-known elsewhere, have been members and contributors.
, at its 1989 convention on July 23, NOW delegates questioned the merits of the two-party system
and broached the idea of forming a third party.
The same convention issued a "Declaration of Women's Political Independence." An exploratory commission was formed for the possibilities of amending the United States Constitution
to include freedom from sexual discrimination, the right to a decent standard of living
, the right to clean air, clean water and environment
al protections, and the right to be free from violence
.
The commission was chaired by former NOW president Eleanor Smeal
. A month earlier, NOW launched a Commission for Responsive Democracy, which included Smeal, John Anderson, Toney Anaya
, Barry Commoner
, and Dee Berry.
, "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex," remains a priority for the organization, as stated in their platform. During their 1995 conference, NOW also wrote and adopted their own constitutional amendment that would cover all of NOW's programs of reform, including abortion, lesbian and gay rights, affirmative action, etc., and labeled it the Constitutional Equality Amendment.
Although NOW has given moral support to attempts to ratify the ERA, they also continue to support the CEA as part of their official platform.
The Constitutional Equality Amendment, which has not been introduced into any session of Congress, reads;
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was founded in 1966 and has a membership of 500,000 contributing members. The organization consists of 550 chapters in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
.
Background
NOW was founded on June 30, 1966, in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, by 28 women and men attending the Third National Conference of the Commission on the Status of Women, the successor to the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women
Presidential Commission on the Status of Women
The Presidential Commission on the Status of Women was established to advise the President of the United States on issues concerning the status of women. It was created by John F. Kennedy's executive order 10980 signed December 14, 1961.-Background:...
. It had been three years since the Commission reported findings of women being discriminated against. However, the 1966 Conference delegates were prohibited by the administration's rules for the conference from even passing resolutions recommending that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforce its legal mandate to end sex discrimination.
The founders included Betty Friedan
Betty Friedan
Betty Friedan was an American writer, activist, and feminist.A leading figure in the Women's Movement in the United States, her 1963 book The Feminine Mystique is often credited with sparking the "second wave" of American feminism in the twentieth century...
, the author of The Feminine Mystique
The Feminine Mystique
The Feminine Mystique, published February 19, 1963, by W.W. Norton and Co., is a nonfiction book written by Betty Friedan. It is widely credited with sparking the beginning of second-wave feminism in the United States....
(1963), Rev. Pauli Murray
Pauli Murray
The Reverend Dr. Anna Pauline Murray was an American civil rights advocate, women's rights activist and feminist, lawyer, writer, poet, teacher, and ordained priest....
, the first African-American female Episcopal priest, and Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was an American politician, educator, and author. She was a Congresswoman, representing New York's 12th Congressional District for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. In 1968, she became the first black woman elected to Congress...
, the first Black woman to run for president of the United States of America. The movement spawned by Friedan's book is embodied in NOW, the National Organization for Women, which works to secure political, professional, and educational equality for women. Founded in 1966 with Betty Friedan acting as an organizer, NOW is a public voice for equal rights for women. It has been extremely effective in enacting rhetorical strategies that have brought about concrete changes in laws and policies that enlarge women's opportunities and protect their rights.
During the 1970s feminist leaders promoted the Equal Rights Amendment
Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution. The ERA was originally written by Alice Paul and, in 1923, it was introduced in the Congress for the first time...
to the U.S. Constitution. After Congress approved the amendment in 1972, it was quickly ratified by 28 states, and its passage seemed assured. However, a Stop ERA campaign, led by Phyllis Schlafly
Phyllis Schlafly
Phyllis McAlpin Stewart Schlafly is a Constitutional lawyer and an American politically conservative activist and author who founded the Eagle Forum. She is known for her opposition to modern feminism ideas and for her campaign against the proposed Equal Rights Amendment...
, crushed the progress of the legislation. By 1973, of the needed 38 states, 35 had ratified the amendment, but no remaining state would ratify the ERA.
The organization remains active in lobbying legislatures and media outlets on feminist issues.
Statement of purpose
Betty FriedanBetty Friedan
Betty Friedan was an American writer, activist, and feminist.A leading figure in the Women's Movement in the United States, her 1963 book The Feminine Mystique is often credited with sparking the "second wave" of American feminism in the twentieth century...
and Pauli Murray
Pauli Murray
The Reverend Dr. Anna Pauline Murray was an American civil rights advocate, women's rights activist and feminist, lawyer, writer, poet, teacher, and ordained priest....
wrote the organization's Statement of Purpose in 1966 (the original was scribbled on a napkin by Friedan). The statement described the purpose of NOW as "To take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now, exercising all privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal partnership with men."
The current membership brochure paraphrases and expands upon the above excerpt to read: "Our purpose is to take action to bring women into full participation in society—sharing equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities with men, while living free from discrimination." This brochure also states: "NOW is one of the few multi-issue progressive organizations in the United States. NOW stands against all oppression, recognizing that racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
, sexism
Sexism
Sexism, also known as gender discrimination or sex discrimination, is the application of the belief or attitude that there are characteristics implicit to one's gender that indirectly affect one's abilities in unrelated areas...
and homophobia
Homophobia
Homophobia is a term used to refer to a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards lesbian, gay and in some cases bisexual, transgender people and behavior, although these are usually covered under other terms such as biphobia and transphobia. Definitions refer to irrational fear, with the...
are interrelated, that other forms of oppression such as classism and ableism work together with these three to keep power and privilege concentrated in the hands of a few."
NOW's Top Six Priority Issues
The six core issues that NOW addresses are abortion rights/reproductive issues, violence against women, constitutional equality, promoting diversity/ending racism, lesbian rights, and economic justice.Additional Issues
NOW also works on: affirmative action, disability rights, family law, fighting the radical right, global feminism, health and body image, immigration, judicial nominations, marriage equality, media activism, mothers/caregivers economic rights, peace, Title IX/education, welfare, promoting women-friendly workplaces, women in the military, young feminist programs and more.Justice for immigrant women: NOW supports "real 'immigration reform' legislation that provides a path to citizenship, promotes the reunification of families, includes protections against exploitation in the workplace, and doesn't include fences, walls or border prisons." The organization opposes Arizona's effort to discourage illegal immigration through SB 1070, and claims that "Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arapaio has been terrorizing [undocumented immigrants] by profiling, arresting and deporting the undocumented." NOW calls SB 1070 "cruel and unconstitutional" and officially supports the lawsuit filed against Arizona by the ACLU.
Global issues: According to NOW's bylaws, NOW's primary focus is on domestic American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
issues; however, NOW does some work on other issues of importance to women and children globally. These issues include genocide
Genocide
Genocide is defined as "the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group", though what constitutes enough of a "part" to qualify as genocide has been subject to much debate by legal scholars...
in Africa. NOW is also a coalition member with other feminist groups whose mission is global feminism
Global feminism
Global Feminism is a feminist theory closely aligned with postcolonial theory and postcolonial feminism. It concerns itself primarily with the forward movement of women's rights on a global scale...
.
Structure and chapters
The membership, meeting yearly in conference, is the supreme governing body of NOW. NOW draws its broad grassroots strength from a nationwide network of local chapters, which are chartered by national NOW and which engage in a wide variety of action programs in their communities. There are also various state organizations, which serve to develop and provide resources to local chapters, as well as coordinate statewide activities.The national level of the organization is led by four elected national officers, by the national Board of Directors, and by national issues committees. These national leaders are responsible for implementing policy as formulated by the annual National Conference, for coordinating national actions, and for providing membership services. NOW has had ten national presidents, beginning with Betty Friedan in 1966. Terry O'Neill
Terry O'Neill (feminist)
Terry O'Neill is an American feminist attorney, professor and activist for social justice. She is president of the National Organization for Women since July 2009, and president of the NOW Foundation and chair of the NOW Political Action Committees.-Education and family:O'Neill graduated from...
, the currently serving national president, was elected in 2009.
Presidents
The following women have led the National Organization for Women;- Betty FriedanBetty FriedanBetty Friedan was an American writer, activist, and feminist.A leading figure in the Women's Movement in the United States, her 1963 book The Feminine Mystique is often credited with sparking the "second wave" of American feminism in the twentieth century...
(1966–1970) - Aileen HernandezAileen HernandezAileen Clark Hernandez is an American union organizer and civil right activist. She was born May 23, 1926, in Brooklyn, NY, of Jamacian-American parents, was educated in New York City, and attended Howard University, where she received a magna cum laude degree in Political Science and Sociology;...
(1970–1971) - Wilma Scott HeideWilma Scott HeideWilma Scott Heide was an American feminist author and social activist who was a leader in the feminist movement in the United States. Heide was involved in the Pittsburgh Press case that ended the practice of listing separate help wanted ads for men and women, decided in 1973 by the Supreme Court...
(1971–1974) - Karen DeCrowKaren DeCrowKaren DeCrow is an American feminist attorney, author, and activist. Beginning her career as a journalist, she joined the National Organization for Women in 1969, and in 1969 she ran for Mayor of the city of Syracuse, New York, becoming the first female mayoral candidate in the history of New York...
(1974–1977) - Eleanor SmealEleanor SmealEleanor Smeal is a feminist activist, political analyst, lobbyist, and grassroots organizer...
(1977–1982) - Judy GoldsmithJudy GoldsmithJudy Goldsmith is an American feminist academic and activist. She was President of the National Organization for Women , largest feminist organization in the United States, from 1982 to 1985, and prior to this was an English professor...
(1982–1985) - Eleanor SmealEleanor SmealEleanor Smeal is a feminist activist, political analyst, lobbyist, and grassroots organizer...
(1985–1987) - Molly YardMolly YardMary Alexander "Molly" Yard was an American feminist of the late 20th century, who, through service as an assistant to Eleanor Roosevelt in the middle of the century and later work as a U.S...
(1987–1991) - Patricia IrelandPatricia IrelandPatricia Ireland is a U.S. administrator and feminist. She served as president of the National Organization for Women, from 1991 to 2001 and published an autobiography, What Women Want, in 1996....
(1991–2001) - Kim GandyKim GandyKim Gandy is an American feminist and was the president of the National Organization for Women from 2001 until 2009. In 2009 Gandy was a Resident Fellow at the Institute of Politics at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government...
(2001–2009) - Terry O'NeillTerry O'Neill (feminist)Terry O'Neill is an American feminist attorney, professor and activist for social justice. She is president of the National Organization for Women since July 2009, and president of the NOW Foundation and chair of the NOW Political Action Committees.-Education and family:O'Neill graduated from...
(2009– )
Alumnae and alumni
Among past leaders and notables at various organizational levels of NOW are Ti-Grace AtkinsonTi-Grace Atkinson
Ti-Grace Atkinson is an American feminist author.Atkinson was born into a prominent Louisiana family. The "Ti" in her name reflects the Cajun or French language petite, for little....
, Ernesta Drinker Ballard
Ernesta Drinker Ballard
Ernesta Drinker Ballard was an American horticulturalist and feminist. Among the founders of the National Organization for Women and the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, Ballard was the executive director of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society from 1963 to 1981, credited...
, Rita Mae Brown
Rita Mae Brown
Rita Mae Brown is an American writer. She is best known for her first novel Rubyfruit Jungle. Published in 1973, it dealt with lesbian themes in an explicit manner unusual for the time...
, Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was an American politician, educator, and author. She was a Congresswoman, representing New York's 12th Congressional District for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. In 1968, she became the first black woman elected to Congress...
, Kathryn F. Clarenbach
Kathryn F. Clarenbach
Kathryn F. Clarenbach was an early leader of the modern feminist movement in the United States and the first Chairperson of the National Organization for Women .-Early life:...
, Mary Daly
Mary Daly
Mary Daly was an American radical feminist philosopher, academic, and theologian. Daly, who described herself as a "radical lesbian feminist", taught at Boston College, a Jesuit-run institution, for 33 years. Daly retired in 1999, after violating university policy by refusing to allow male...
, Warren Farrell
Warren Farrell
Warren Farrell is an American author of seven books on men's and women's issues. His books cover twelve fields: history, law, sociology and politics ; couples’ communication ; economic and career issues ; child psychology and child custody ; and...
, Caroline Davis, Karen DeCrow
Karen DeCrow
Karen DeCrow is an American feminist attorney, author, and activist. Beginning her career as a journalist, she joined the National Organization for Women in 1969, and in 1969 she ran for Mayor of the city of Syracuse, New York, becoming the first female mayoral candidate in the history of New York...
, Rosemary Dempsey
Rosemary Dempsey
Rosemary Dempsey is an American feminist activist. She was the Vice President for Action of the National Organization for Women from 1990-1997....
, Betty Friedan
Betty Friedan
Betty Friedan was an American writer, activist, and feminist.A leading figure in the Women's Movement in the United States, her 1963 book The Feminine Mystique is often credited with sparking the "second wave" of American feminism in the twentieth century...
, Sonia Pressman Fuentes
Sonia Pressman Fuentes
Sonia Pressman Fuentes is an American author, speaker, feminist leader and lawyer. She was born in Berlin, Germany, of Polish parents, with whom she came to the U.S. to escape the Holocaust. In the U.S., she became one of the founders of the second wave of the women’s movement...
, Kim Gandy
Kim Gandy
Kim Gandy is an American feminist and was the president of the National Organization for Women from 2001 until 2009. In 2009 Gandy was a Resident Fellow at the Institute of Politics at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government...
, Judy Goldsmith
Judy Goldsmith
Judy Goldsmith is an American feminist academic and activist. She was President of the National Organization for Women , largest feminist organization in the United States, from 1982 to 1985, and prior to this was an English professor...
, Wilma Scott Heide
Wilma Scott Heide
Wilma Scott Heide was an American feminist author and social activist who was a leader in the feminist movement in the United States. Heide was involved in the Pittsburgh Press case that ended the practice of listing separate help wanted ads for men and women, decided in 1973 by the Supreme Court...
, Aileen Hernandez
Aileen Hernandez
Aileen Clark Hernandez is an American union organizer and civil right activist. She was born May 23, 1926, in Brooklyn, NY, of Jamacian-American parents, was educated in New York City, and attended Howard University, where she received a magna cum laude degree in Political Science and Sociology;...
, Shere Hite
Shere Hite
Shere Hite is an American-born German sex educator and feminist. Her sexological work has focused primarily on female sexuality. Hite builds upon biological studies of sex by Masters and Johnson and by Alfred Kinsey...
, Phineas Indritz
Phineas Indritz
Phineas Indritz, was an American constitutional lawyer active in the civil rights movement.-Personal:Indritz was born in Moline, IL on August 3, 1916 and graduated from the University of Chicago with an AB in 1936 and a JD in 1938...
, Patricia Ireland
Patricia Ireland
Patricia Ireland is a U.S. administrator and feminist. She served as president of the National Organization for Women, from 1991 to 2001 and published an autobiography, What Women Want, in 1996....
, Florynce "Flo" Kennedy
Florynce Kennedy
Florynce "Flo" Kennedy , was a U.S. lawyer, activist, civil rights advocate, and feminist.- Early life :...
, Phyllis Lyon, Del Martin, Kate Millett
Kate Millett
Kate Millett is an American lesbian feminist writer and activist. A seminal influence on second-wave feminism, Millet is best known for her 1970 book Sexual Politics.-Career:...
, Virginia "Ginny" Montes, Pauli Murray
Pauli Murray
The Reverend Dr. Anna Pauline Murray was an American civil rights advocate, women's rights activist and feminist, lawyer, writer, poet, teacher, and ordained priest....
, Irma Newmark
Irma Newmark
Irma Newmark is an American feminist. She joined New York's division of the National Organization for Women in 1967 and served as spokesperson for the committee on the image of women. Newmark was also a founder and the first president of the Bronx chapter of NOW, and a member/speaker for the...
, Sylvia Roberts, Barbara Seaman
Barbara Seaman
Barbara Seaman was an American author, activist, and journalist, and a principal founder of the women's health feminism movement.-Early years:Seaman, whose parents, Henry J...
, Eleanor Smeal
Eleanor Smeal
Eleanor Smeal is a feminist activist, political analyst, lobbyist, and grassroots organizer...
, Jean Witter, and Molly Yard
Molly Yard
Mary Alexander "Molly" Yard was an American feminist of the late 20th century, who, through service as an assistant to Eleanor Roosevelt in the middle of the century and later work as a U.S...
. Some were Presidents; some served in other capacities. In addition, NOW has given awards to women recognizing work outside of NOW and many others, who may be well-known elsewhere, have been members and contributors.
Third-party explorations
In Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, at its 1989 convention on July 23, NOW delegates questioned the merits of the two-party system
Two-party system
A two-party system is a system where two major political parties dominate voting in nearly all elections at every level of government and, as a result, all or nearly all elected offices are members of one of the two major parties...
and broached the idea of forming a third party.
The same convention issued a "Declaration of Women's Political Independence." An exploratory commission was formed for the possibilities of amending the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
to include freedom from sexual discrimination, the right to a decent standard of living
Standard of living
Standard of living is generally measured by standards such as real income per person and poverty rate. Other measures such as access and quality of health care, income growth inequality and educational standards are also used. Examples are access to certain goods , or measures of health such as...
, the right to clean air, clean water and environment
Natural environment
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
al protections, and the right to be free from violence
Violence
Violence is the use of physical force to apply a state to others contrary to their wishes. violence, while often a stand-alone issue, is often the culmination of other kinds of conflict, e.g...
.
The commission was chaired by former NOW president Eleanor Smeal
Eleanor Smeal
Eleanor Smeal is a feminist activist, political analyst, lobbyist, and grassroots organizer...
. A month earlier, NOW launched a Commission for Responsive Democracy, which included Smeal, John Anderson, Toney Anaya
Toney Anaya
Toney Anaya is a U.S. Democratic politician who was born in Moriarty, New Mexico. He went to undergraduate school at Georgetown University and graduated with a law degree from American University's Washington College of Law in 1967...
, Barry Commoner
Barry Commoner
Barry Commoner is an American biologist, college professor, and eco-socialist. He ran for president of the United States in the 1980 US presidential election on the Citizens Party ticket. He was also editor of Science Illustrated magazine.-Biography:Commoner was born in Brooklyn...
, and Dee Berry.
ERA and CEA
Ratification of the Equal Rights AmendmentEqual Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution. The ERA was originally written by Alice Paul and, in 1923, it was introduced in the Congress for the first time...
, "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex," remains a priority for the organization, as stated in their platform. During their 1995 conference, NOW also wrote and adopted their own constitutional amendment that would cover all of NOW's programs of reform, including abortion, lesbian and gay rights, affirmative action, etc., and labeled it the Constitutional Equality Amendment.
Although NOW has given moral support to attempts to ratify the ERA, they also continue to support the CEA as part of their official platform.
The Constitutional Equality Amendment, which has not been introduced into any session of Congress, reads;
- Women and men shall have equal rights throughout the United States and every place and entity subject to its jurisdiction; through this article, the subordination of women to men is abolished;
- All persons shall have equal rights and privileges without discrimination on account of sex, race, sexual orientation, marital status, ethnicity, national origin, color or indigence;
- This article prohibits pregnancy discrimination and guarantees the absolute right of a woman to make her own reproductive decisions including the termination of pregnancy;
- This article prohibits discrimination based upon characteristics unique to or stereotypes about any class protected under this article. This article also prohibits discrimination through the use of any facially neutral criteria which have a disparate impact based on membership in a class protected under this article.
- This article does not preclude any law, program or activity that would remedy the effects of discrimination and that is closely related to achieving such remedial purposes;
- This article shall be interpreted under the highest standard of judicial review;
- The United States and the several states shall guarantee the implementation and enforcement of this article.
Historical timeline
Timeline| Year | NOW Timeline |
|---|---|
| 1966 (June) |
|
| 1967 |
Equal Rights Amendment The Equal Rights Amendment was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution. The ERA was originally written by Alice Paul and, in 1923, it was introduced in the Congress for the first time... (ERA), the repeal of all abortion laws, and publicly funded child care among its goals in a "Bill of Rights for Women." NOW is the first national organization to endorse the legalization of abortion. The New York Times The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization... , "de-sexigrate" their Help Wanted ads. |
| 1968 |
Shirley Chisholm Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was an American politician, educator, and author. She was a Congresswoman, representing New York's 12th Congressional District for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. In 1968, she became the first black woman elected to Congress... becomes the first African American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. |
| 1969 |
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* Eastern District of Louisiana* Middle District of Louisiana... that it was sex discrimination for Lorena Weeks, a secretary, to be restricted from higher-paying employment as a "switchman" because of a 30-pound lifting limit. Weeks entered the courtroom with her typewriter, which she was regularly required to lift and move—yes, it weighed more than 30 pounds. The court later rules in Weeks v. Southern Bell that the weight limitation rule for women violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area... and Michigan Michigan Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake".... and at Princeton University Princeton University Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution.... . |
| 1970 |
Legal Momentum Legal Momentum, formerly known as NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund, is the oldest legal advocacy group for women in the United States. Founded in 1970, Legal Momentum is a liberal multi-issue organization dedicated to advancing women’s rights across the country... . Wilma Scott Heide Wilma Scott Heide was an American feminist author and social activist who was a leader in the feminist movement in the United States. Heide was involved in the Pittsburgh Press case that ended the practice of listing separate help wanted ads for men and women, decided in 1973 by the Supreme Court... and Jean Witter, disrupt the Senate hearings on the 18-year-old vote to demand hearings on the Equal Rights Amendment. At a signal from Heide, the women rise and unfold posters they had concealed in their purses. Affirmative action Affirmative action refers to policies that take factors including "race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national origin" into consideration in order to benefit an underrepresented group, usually as a means to counter the effects of a history of discrimination.-Origins:The term... plans for hiring women. Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution The Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits any United States citizen to be denied the right to vote based on sex. It was ratified on August 18, 1920.... , with actions in more than 90 cities and towns in 40 states. Fifty thousand women march on Fifth Avenue in New York. |
| 1970–71 |
Walter Mondale Walter Frederick "Fritz" Mondale is an American Democratic Party politician, who served as the 42nd Vice President of the United States , under President Jimmy Carter, and as a United States Senator for Minnesota... and Jacob Javits, and in the House by Shirley Chisholm Shirley Chisholm Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was an American politician, educator, and author. She was a Congresswoman, representing New York's 12th Congressional District for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. In 1968, she became the first black woman elected to Congress... and Bella Abzug Bella Abzug Bella Savitsky Abzug was an American lawyer, Congresswoman, social activist and a leader of the Women's Movement. In 1971, Abzug joined other leading feminists such as Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan to found the National Women's Political Caucus... ; NOW lobbies the comprehensive legislation through both houses of Congress, but it is vetoed by President Richard Nixon Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under... , who calls it the "Sovietization of American children." Federal Communications Commission The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the... to have women included in affirmative action programs for radio and television ownership and employment. AT&T AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services... 's discriminatory practices towards women, thus beginning a campaign that will last several years and end in massive back pay for women who had been excluded. |
| 1972 |
Title IX Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a United States law, enacted on June 23, 1972, that amended Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In 2002 it was renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, in honor of its principal author Congresswoman Mink, but is most... , a guarantee of equal educational opportunities including sports. |
| 1972–1982 | After the Senate passes the ERA 84-8, NOW leads ERA ratification campaigns in all 50 states. By 1977, 35 of the necessary 38 states have ratified the amendment. |
| 1973 |
Abortion Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced... in the first three months of pregnancy, grounding the decision on the right to privacy, and permits second trimester regulations only to protect the woman's health. NOW chapters begin escorting patients into the newly established clinics, which are already being picketed. Rape Crisis Centers Rape crisis centers , also called Sexual Assault Centers, are often community-based organizations affiliated with the anti-rape movement that work to help victims of rape, sexual abuse, and sexual violence. Central to a community’s rape response, RCCs provide a number of services, such as victim... and hotlines across the country; NOW begins campaigns to redefine rape Rape Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The... as a crime of violence. |
| 1974 |
Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under... . In September, President Gerald Ford Gerald Ford Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974... meets with NOW President Karen DeCrow Karen DeCrow Karen DeCrow is an American feminist attorney, author, and activist. Beginning her career as a journalist, she joined the National Organization for Women in 1969, and in 1969 she ran for Mayor of the city of Syracuse, New York, becoming the first female mayoral candidate in the history of New York... and other women leaders. |
| 1975 |
Take Back the Night Take Back the Night is an internationally held march and rally intended as a protest and direct action against rape and other forms of sexual violence... actions. Corporation for Public Broadcasting The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is a non-profit corporation created by an act of the United States Congress, funded by the United States’ federal government to promote public broadcasting... due to its poor record on women's rights. |
| 1976 |
|
| 1977 |
Eleanor Smeal Eleanor Smeal is a feminist activist, political analyst, lobbyist, and grassroots organizer... , activists pass a controversial lesbian rights plank despite opposition by conference organizers. Betty Friedan speaks in favor of the plank. The conference's final Plan of Action echoes NOW's "Bill of Rights" proposed a decade earlier. Women's Equality Day Women's Equality Day is a day proclaimed each year by the United States President to commemorate the giving of the vote to women throughout the country on an equal basis to men.... across the country raise $150,000 for the NOW ERA Strike Force. |
| 1978 |
John Ashcroft John David Ashcroft is a United States politician who served as the 79th United States Attorney General, from 2001 until 2005, appointed by President George W. Bush. Ashcroft previously served as the 50th Governor of Missouri and a U.S... , Missouri's attorney general, claiming the ERA boycott is unlawful; NOW prevails, establishing the right to use a boycott for the purpose of petitioning the government. Rape shield law A rape shield law is a law that limits a defendant's ability to cross-examine rape complainants about their past sexual behaviour. The term also refers to a law that prohibits the publication of the identity of an alleged rape victim.-In Canada:... , protecting the privacy of rape survivors by preventing cross-examination into the woman's prior sexual history. Phineas Indritz Phineas Indritz, was an American constitutional lawyer active in the civil rights movement.-Personal:Indritz was born in Moline, IL on August 3, 1916 and graduated from the University of Chicago with an AB in 1936 and a JD in 1938... , ends employment discrimination based on pregnancy, requiring that it be treated as any temporary disability by employers who are covered by Title VII. |
| 1979 |
Title IX Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a United States law, enacted on June 23, 1972, that amended Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In 2002 it was renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, in honor of its principal author Congresswoman Mink, but is most... . |
| 1980 |
Affirmative action Affirmative action refers to policies that take factors including "race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national origin" into consideration in order to benefit an underrepresented group, usually as a means to counter the effects of a history of discrimination.-Origins:The term... bylaw, reserving a minimum number of board seats for women of color. Jimmy Carter James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office... . |
| 1981 |
Sandra Day O'Connor Sandra Day O'Connor is an American jurist who was the first female member of the Supreme Court of the United States. She served as an Associate Justice from 1981 until her retirement from the Court in 2006. O'Connor was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981... is appointed to the US Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor.... . NOW President Eleanor Smeal Eleanor Smeal Eleanor Smeal is a feminist activist, political analyst, lobbyist, and grassroots organizer... testifies in favor of her appointment. |
| 1982 |
|
| 1983 |
Tyne Daly Tyne Daly is an American stage and screen actress, widely known for her work as Detective Mary Beth Lacey in the television series Cagney & Lacey and as Maxine Gray in the television series Judging Amy. She is also known for her role as Alice Henderson in television series Christy... and Sharon Gless Sharon Gless Sharon Marguerite Gless is an American character actress of stage, film and television, who is best known for her roles as Maggie Philbin on Switch , as Sgt. Christine Cagney in the police procedural drama series Cagney & Lacey and as Debbie Novotny in the Showtime cable television series Queer... , which was the first to portray female police officers and strong role models for women. Allstate The Allstate Corporation is the second-largest personal lines insurer in the United States and the largest that is publicly held. The company also has personal lines insurance operations in Canada. Allstate was founded in 1931 as part of Sears, Roebuck and Co., and was spun off in 1993... for alleged employment discrimination. |
| 1984 |
Walter Mondale Walter Frederick "Fritz" Mondale is an American Democratic Party politician, who served as the 42nd Vice President of the United States , under President Jimmy Carter, and as a United States Senator for Minnesota... , former Vice President, in the Democratic primary. With NOW's urging of a "Woman VP NOW," Mondale selects Geraldine Ferraro Geraldine Ferraro Geraldine Anne Ferraro was an American attorney, a Democratic Party politician, and a member of the United States House of Representatives. She was the first female Vice Presidential candidate representing a major American political party.... for Vice President. NOW campaigns nationwide for Mondale/Ferraro. Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... offices in protest of President Reagan's Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor.... pro-life leadership, carrying out publicity campaigns with Women's Truth Squads. NOW pickets the White House and demands an end to abortion-related violence. |
| 1984–1988 | NOW works to pass the Civil Rights Restoration Act, reversing Supreme Court cases that limited federal laws combating discrimination based on gender, race, age, and disability. |
| 1985 |
|
| 1986 |
March for Women's Lives The March for Women's Lives was a demonstration for reproductive rights and women's rights, held April 25, 2004 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.. The National Park Service no longer makes official estimates of attendance after the Million Man March controversy in 1994, so official estimates... , drawing 125,000 demonstrators to Washington, DC and 30,000 to Los Angeles, despite torrential rains. Joseph Scheidler Joseph M. Scheidler is a noted American pro-life activist, National Director of the Pro-Life Action League, former Benedictine monk, and named defendant in the NOW v. Scheidler litigation, a 19-year saga which was ultimately resolved in Scheidler's favor by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2006. He is... , the Pro-Life Action League, and other groups charged with violence against abortion clinics, alleging violation of antitrust and other federal laws. |
| 1987 |
|
| 1988 |
Operation Rescue Operation Rescue is a pro-life organization which originated in California and is now based in Kansas.... , defending clinics across the country from blockades and suing (and eventually bankrupting) leader Randall Terry Randall Terry Randall Almira Terry is an American pro-life activist and candidate for the Democratic Party's nomination for President in 2012. Terry founded the pro-life organization Operation Rescue. The group became particularly prominent beginning in 1987 for blockading the entrances to abortion clinics;... for breaking the law. |
| 1989 |
March for Women's Lives The March for Women's Lives was a demonstration for reproductive rights and women's rights, held April 25, 2004 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.. The National Park Service no longer makes official estimates of attendance after the Million Man March controversy in 1994, so official estimates... brings a record-setting 500,000 marchers to the National Mall National Mall The National Mall is an open-area national park in downtown Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. The National Mall is a unit of the National Park Service , and is administered by the National Mall and Memorial Parks unit... to influence the Supreme Court's consideration of reversing Roe v. Wade Roe v. Wade Roe v. Wade, , was a controversial landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court on the issue of abortion. The Court decided that a right to privacy under the due process clause in the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution extends to a woman's decision to have an abortion,... . |
| 1990–1994 | NOW lobbies for four years to pass the Violence Against Women Act Violence Against Women Act The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 is a United States federal law. It was passed as Title IV, sec. 40001-40703 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, , and signed as by President Bill Clinton on September 13, 1994... (VAWA), which is signed in 1994 with an unprecedented $1.6 billion dollar budget for violence prevention and services. |
| 1990 | NOW's Freedom Caravan for Women's Lives begins state tours to recruit feminist candidates. |
| 1991 |
Cracker Barrel Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. is an American chain of combined restaurant and gift stores with a Southern country theme. The company was founded by Dan Evins in 1969 and its first store was located in Lebanon, Tennessee, where the company is now headquartered... Country Stores. Gag rule A gag rule is a rule that limits or forbids the raising, consideration or discussion of a particular topic by members of a legislative or decision-making body.-Origin and pros and cons:... " that barred federally financed family planning clinics from giving women information about abortion, but Bush vetoes the legislation and the House does not have enough votes to override. NOW chapters nationwide protest at Bush administration speaking events. |
| 1992 |
March for Women's Lives The March for Women's Lives was a demonstration for reproductive rights and women's rights, held April 25, 2004 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.. The National Park Service no longer makes official estimates of attendance after the Million Man March controversy in 1994, so official estimates... sets a record for the largest civil rights demonstration in the US to date, with 750,000 marching. NOW chapters and National NOW participate in efforts throughout the year to defend clinics. To begin a campaign of nonviolent civil disobedience, NOW and the Feminist Majority organize an illegal speak-out in front of the White House to protest the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Planned Parenthood v. Casey Planned Parenthood v. Casey Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 was a case decided by the Supreme Court of the United States in which the constitutionality of several Pennsylvania state regulations regarding abortion were challenged... . |
| 1993 |
David Gunn (doctor) David Gunn was an American physician. He received his bachelors degree from Vanderbilt University and earned his M.D. at the University of Kentucky. Gunn moved to Brewton, Alabama, after his residency, choosing to provide OB/GYN and abortion services in rural America.Gunn was murdered in... , an abortion provider, is murdered in Pensacola Pensacola, Florida Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752... . NOW demands that the Clinton administration assign a multi-agency task force to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of this and other ongoing abortion-related violence. Cheerleading Cheerleading is a physical activity, sometimes a competitive sport, based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate... squad after NOW threatens to file a lawsuit. |
| 1994 | The U.S. Supreme Court in NOW v. Scheidler unanimously upholds NOW's right to use the RICO anti-racketeering law Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act or simply RICO, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization... against those coordinating violence against abortion clinics. |
| 1995 |
Domestic violence Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation... , pressuring the Newt Gingrich Newt Gingrich Newton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich is a U.S. Republican Party politician who served as the House Minority Whip from 1989 to 1995 and as the 58th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999.... -led Congress to release VAWA funding. |
| 1996 |
Mitsubishi Motors is a multinational automaker headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. In 2009 it was the fifth-largest Japan-based automaker and the 17th-largest in the world measured by production... , where race and sex discrimination and harassment were rampant, its first NOW Merchant of Shame. Bill Clinton William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation... to veto the punitive welfare "reform" bill that had just passed Congress and would increase poverty among U.S. women and children. Same-sex marriage Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality.... rights. Fathers' rights The fathers' rights movement is a movement whose members are primarily interested in issues related to family law, including child custody and child support that affect fathers and their children. Many of its members are fathers who desire to share the parenting of their children equally with their... movement. |
| 1997 |
Domestic violence Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation... Option that would allow states to grant women escaping violence exemptions from punitive new welfare reform provisions. Transgender Transgender is a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies to vary from culturally conventional gender roles.... oppression and calls for education on the rights of transgender people. |
| 1998 |
Joseph Scheidler Joseph M. Scheidler is a noted American pro-life activist, National Director of the Pro-Life Action League, former Benedictine monk, and named defendant in the NOW v. Scheidler litigation, a 19-year saga which was ultimately resolved in Scheidler's favor by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2006. He is... , Operation Rescue, and others under the RICO anti-racketeering law Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act or simply RICO, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization... ; a nationwide injunction against abortion-related violence follows. Equal Pay Act of 1963 The Equal Pay Act of 1963 is a United States federal law amending the Fair Labor Standards Act, aimed at abolishing wage disparity based on sex . It was signed into law on June 10, 1963 by John F. Kennedy as part of his New Frontier Program... , allowing compensatory and punitive damages and making it easier to bring class action lawsuits. |
| 1999 |
|
| 2000 |
George W. Bush George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000.... as president. NOW PAC supports the election of feminists across the country, increasing feminists' representation in the Congress. |
| 2001 |
Mexico City Policy The Mexico City Policy, also known by critics as the Mexico City Gag Rule and the Global Gag Rule, was an intermittent United States government policy that required all non-governmental organizations that receive federal funding to refrain from performing or promoting abortion services, as a... , which cut off funding provided by taxpayers to international family-planning organizations advocating the legality of or performing abortions. |
| 2002 |
Roe v. Wade Roe v. Wade, , was a controversial landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court on the issue of abortion. The Court decided that a right to privacy under the due process clause in the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution extends to a woman's decision to have an abortion,... from being overturned. |
| 2002–2006 | NOW's Women Friendly Workplace Campaign names Wal-Mart Wal-Mart Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000... a Merchant of Shame because of alleged sex discrimination policies in hiring, pay, and promotions. NOW chapters picket local stores for four years. |
| 2002 | The Federal Marriage Amendment Federal Marriage Amendment The Federal Marriage Amendment H.J. Res. 56 was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution which would have limited marriage in the United States to unions of one man and one woman... is introduced in Congress; NOW lobbies against the FMA and continues campaigning for legal recognition of same-sex couples. |
| 2003 |
Carol Moseley Braun Carol Elizabeth Moseley Braun is an American feminist politician and lawyer who represented Illinois in the United States Senate from 1993 to 1999. She was the first and to date only African-American woman elected to the United States Senate, the first woman to defeat an incumbent senator in an... , the second African-American woman to run for U.S. President.
|
| 2004 |
|
| 2005 |
|
| 2006 |
Samuel Alito Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr. is an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He was nominated by President George W. Bush and has served on the court since January 31, 2006.... to replace O'Connor on the Supreme Court. |
| 2007 |
Joseph Scheidler Joseph M. Scheidler is a noted American pro-life activist, National Director of the Pro-Life Action League, former Benedictine monk, and named defendant in the NOW v. Scheidler litigation, a 19-year saga which was ultimately resolved in Scheidler's favor by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2006. He is... , Operation Rescue Operation Rescue Operation Rescue is a pro-life organization which originated in California and is now based in Kansas.... , and others, and directs the lower court to invalidate the nationwide injunction that has protected clinics across the country for 7 years. Albany, New York Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River... , which includes a Young Feminist Summit and a tribute to NOW's founders and past presidents. |
| 2008 |
Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in... for president. NOW had originally endorsed Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton Hillary Rodham Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she was the First Lady of the... for president during the Democratic Party Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... Primary Primary election A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election.... . NOW also made it known that they would not support Sarah Palin Sarah Palin Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was... , the running mate of Obama's Republican counterpart, John McCain John McCain John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election.... . |
See also
- FeminismFeminismFeminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of women's rights...
- List of Presidents of the National Organization for Women
- List of Woman of Courage Award WinnersNational Organization for Women (NOW) Woman of Courage Award WinnersSince 1994, the National Organization for Women has presented the Woman of Courage Award annually at the National NOW Conference and periodically at issue-based summits organized by NOW and/or the NOW Foundation...
External links
- National Organization for Women, Official website
- All NOW Chapters
- National Organization for Women Records.
- FBI file on NOW
- Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University.
- The National Organization for Women. Philadelphia Chapter Records, 1968-1977, including newsletters, publications and various records from the National, Pennsylvania and Chapter offices, are available for research use at the Historical Society of PennsylvaniaHistorical Society of PennsylvaniaThe Historical Society of Pennsylvania is a historical society founded in 1824 and based in Philadelphia. The Society's building, designed by Addison Hutton and listed on Philadelphia's Register of Historical Places, houses some 600,000 printed items and over 19 million manuscript and graphic items...
. - National Organization for Women. Washington D.C. Chapter and Capitol Hill Chapter Records, Special Collections Research Center, Estelle and Melvin Gelman Library, The George Washington University.
- A Guide to the San Antonio Chapter of the National Organization for Women Records, 1970-1998.
- A Guide to the Texas Chapter of the National Organization for Women Records,1978-1999