National Organization for Women (NOW)

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest feminist advocacy group in the Gender Equality in the Gender Equality in the Gender Equality in the United States of America of America of America. NOW was founded on June 30, 1966 in Washington, D.C., by 28 women and men attending the Third National Conference of the Commission on the Status of Women. Among the founders was Betty Friedan , Feminism and author of the Feminine Mystique. There are now over 500, 000 members.

Mission

“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.”

Policy Issues

Priority Areas:

• Advancing Reproductive Freedom
• Promoting Diversity & Ending Racism
• Stopping Violence Against Women
• Winning Lesbian Rights
• Achieving Constitutional Equality
• Ensuring Economic Justice

NOW also campaigns in the following areas: affirmative action, child care, custody and Family Law issues, disability rights – educational,  exposing the Radical Right, global feminism, health and body image, social security, welfare.

Sources

• http://www.now.org/about.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Organization_for_Women