Describe the National Organization of Women (NOW) and the origins and goals of the modern women’s movement
Founding of NOW
NOW was established on June 30, 1966 in Washington DC by people attending the Third National Conference of the Commission on the Status of Women. It was founded by 28 women. Its first was Betty Friedan, author of The Feminine Mystique. NOW’s original Statement of Purpose went as followed: The purpose of NOW is 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.
Major actions and accomplishments -Take Back the Night how have they contributed to the women’s movement
Take Back the Night is an international event and non-profit organization that tries to end sexual, relationship, and domestic violence. Events often include marches, rallies, and vigils intended as protest and direct action.
Feminine Mystique – what is it, importance
Feminine Mystique is a book written by Betty Friedan. Her overall message in the writing is that woman’s problem today is not sexual but a problem of identity.
Roe v. Wade – Who was the chief justice, what was the decision on what constitutional/legal ground
Roe v Wade recognized that the constitutional right to privacy extends to a woman’s right to make her own personal medical decisions– including the decision to ave an abortion without interference from politicians. The chief justice in this case was Justice Warren E. Burger.
Reflection
Woman’s rights is important to me for the obvious reason that I am a woman. Without the NOW foundation I feel like there would have been a lot of unheard women’s voices. I also found it interesting that the Roe v Wade case is still up for debate today.
Resources
https://www.oyez.org/cases/1971/70-11
https://now.org/now-foundation/
mycivilrightssite 