NOW

Definition

NOW, or the National Organization for Women, is a prominent women's rights organization in the United States that has played a crucial role in the fight for gender equality and the advancement of women's rights since its inception in 1966. The term refers to this influential advocacy group and its efforts to address various issues related to women's empowerment, discrimination, and social justice.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. NOW was founded in 1966 by a group of women's rights activists, including Betty Friedan, who were dissatisfied with the lack of progress in achieving gender equality.
2. The organization's primary goals include the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, the elimination of discrimination against women in the workplace, and the promotion of reproductive rights and access to abortion.
3. NOW has been at the forefront of many important women's rights battles, including the fight for equal pay, the expansion of childcare services, and the protection of Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in education.
4. The organization has played a significant role in shaping public discourse and influencing legislation related to women's issues, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Violence Against Women Act.
5. NOW has faced criticism from some conservative and anti-feminist groups for its progressive agenda and its support for controversial issues like abortion rights.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of NOW in the women's rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
  • NOW, the National Organization for Women, was a central player in the women's rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Formed in 1966, NOW advocated for a wide range of issues related to gender equality, including the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, the elimination of workplace discrimination, and the expansion of reproductive rights. The organization played a pivotal role in shaping the public discourse and influencing legislation that advanced the cause of women's empowerment during this critical period of the feminist movement.
• Describe the key goals and achievements of NOW in the fight for women's rights.
  • The National Organization for Women (NOW) has been at the forefront of the fight for women's rights, pursuing a multifaceted agenda to address gender inequality. Some of NOW's key goals include the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, the elimination of discrimination against women in the workplace, and the protection of reproductive rights, including access to abortion. The organization has achieved significant victories, such as influencing the passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Violence Against Women Act, as well as playing a crucial role in the expansion of Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in education. Through its advocacy efforts and legal challenges, NOW has been instrumental in shaping the social and political landscape to advance the rights and opportunities of women in the United States.
• Analyze the impact of NOW's activism and the challenges it has faced in the broader context of the women's rights movement.
  • The National Organization for Women (NOW) has been a driving force in the women's rights movement, using a combination of grassroots activism, legislative advocacy, and legal challenges to advance gender equality. While NOW has achieved significant victories, such as influencing the passage of landmark legislation and expanding opportunities for women, the organization has also faced criticism and resistance from conservative and anti-feminist groups. The challenges faced by NOW reflect the broader societal tensions and ideological divides surrounding women's rights, as the organization's progressive agenda has often clashed with more traditional or conservative views on gender roles and the role of government in addressing issues of discrimination and social justice. Despite these obstacles, NOW has remained a powerful and influential voice, shaping public discourse and continuing to push for the full realization of women's rights and the elimination of gender-based barriers in all spheres of life.

Related terms

Women's Liberation Movement: The social movement in the 1960s and 1970s that sought to achieve full equality for women in the United States, including legal, social, and economic rights.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA): A proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would guarantee equal rights for all citizens regardless of sex, which was a key goal of the women's rights movement and NOW.

Feminist Theory: The study and analysis of the nature of gender inequality, focusing on the social, political, and economic status of women and their experiences.