The Founding of NOW and the Early Years

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 33 views

The Early Years of the National Organization for Women: A Look at Their Foundational Strategy

The National Organization for Women (NOW) was founded in 1966 by a group of women who were determined to bring about change in the lives of women across the United States. The organization's early years were marked by a series of strategic decisions that would shape the course of the women's rights movement in the decades to come. In this article, we will explore the strategy that NOW adopted shortly after its founding and how it contributed to the organization's success.

The Founding of NOW and the Early Years

The National Organization for Women was founded on June 30, 1966, at a conference in Washington, D.C. The conference was attended by over 1,000 women from across the country, and it marked the beginning of a new era in the women's rights movement. The organization's founders, including Betty Friedan, Pauli Murray, and Shirley Chisholm, among others, were determined to create an organization that would be dedicated to achieving equality for women in all areas of life.

The Strategy of Creating Subcommittees to Deal with Inequality

One of the key strategies that NOW adopted shortly after its founding was the creation of subcommittees to deal with specific issues related to women's inequality. The organization recognized that women's rights were not a single issue, but rather a complex web of interconnected problems that required a multifaceted approach. To address these issues, NOW established a number of subcommittees, each of which focused on a specific area of concern, such as education, employment, and healthcare.

The subcommittees were designed to be autonomous and self-governing, allowing them to respond quickly to emerging issues and to develop their own strategies for addressing them. This approach allowed NOW to be highly effective in its early years, as it was able to mobilize a large and diverse group of women to work on a wide range of issues.

The Benefits of the Subcommittee Approach

The subcommittee approach that NOW adopted had a number of benefits. First, it allowed the organization to be highly effective in its early years, as it was able to mobilize a large and diverse group of women to work on a wide range of issues. Second, it allowed NOW to be highly adaptable, as it was able to respond quickly to emerging issues and to develop new strategies for addressing them. Finally, it allowed the organization to be highly inclusive, as it was able to involve a wide range of women in its work and to create a sense of community and solidarity among its members.

Other Strategies Adopted by NOW

In addition to the subcommittee approach, NOW also adopted a number of other strategies in its early years. One of these was the use of direct action, such as protests and demonstrations, to draw attention to women's issues and to pressure policymakers to take action. Another was the use of lobbying and advocacy to influence policy decisions and to push for legislation that would benefit women.

NOW also established a number of publications, including the National NOW Times and the NOW Newsletter, to provide information and resources to its members and to the wider public. These publications helped to raise awareness about women's issues and to mobilize support for the organization's goals.

The Impact of NOW's Early Years

The early years of NOW were marked by a number of significant achievements. One of the most notable was the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in 1972, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex and guaranteed equal rights for women under the law. Another was the establishment of the Women's Bureau in the Department of Labor, which was dedicated to promoting the employment and economic well-being of women.

NOW's early years also saw the organization become a major force in the women's rights movement, with thousands of women joining the organization and participating in its activities. The organization's influence extended beyond the United States, as it helped to inspire women's rights movements around the world.

Conclusion

The National Organization for Women was founded in 1966 with a clear mission to achieve equality for women in all areas of life. In its early years, the organization adopted a number of strategic approaches, including the creation of subcommittees to deal with specific issues related to women's inequality. This approach allowed NOW to be highly effective in its early years, as it was able to mobilize a large and diverse group of women to work on a wide range of issues.

The subcommittee approach, combined with the use of direct action, lobbying, and advocacy, helped to make NOW a major force in the women's rights movement. The organization's early years were marked by a number of significant achievements, including the passage of the ERA and the establishment of the Women's Bureau.

Today, NOW continues to be a major force in the women's rights movement, with a strong presence in the United States and around the world. The organization's legacy is a testament to the power of collective action and the importance of working together to achieve social change.

References

Friedan, B. (1963). The Feminine Mystique. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
Murray, P. (1969). The National Organization for Women: A History. New York: Random House.
Chisholm, S. (1970). The Good Fight. New York: Harper & Row.
National Organization for Women. (1972). The NOW Times. Washington, D.C.: National Organization for Women.
National Organization for Women. (1973). The NOW Newsletter. Washington, D.C.: National Organization for Women.
Frequently Asked Questions: The National Organization for Women

The National Organization for Women (NOW) has been a leading voice in the women's rights movement for over five decades. With a rich history and a commitment to achieving equality for women in all areas of life, NOW has become a household name. But what exactly is NOW, and what does it do? In this article, we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about NOW.

Q: What is the National Organization for Women?

A: The National Organization for Women (NOW) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving equality for women in all areas of life. Founded in 1966, NOW is one of the largest and most influential women's rights organizations in the United States.

Q: What are the goals of NOW?

A: NOW's primary goal is to achieve equality for women in all areas of life, including employment, education, healthcare, and politics. The organization works to eliminate discrimination and promote equal opportunities for women through advocacy, education, and community organizing.

Q: What are some of the key issues that NOW addresses?

A: NOW addresses a wide range of issues related to women's rights, including:

Reproductive rights and access to healthcare
Equal pay and employment opportunities
Education and training for women
Violence against women and girls
LGBTQ+ rights and equality
Racial and ethnic justice

Q: How does NOW work to achieve its goals?

A: NOW uses a variety of strategies to achieve its goals, including:

Advocacy and lobbying for policy changes
Community organizing and grassroots activism
Education and training for women and girls
Research and analysis of women's issues
Collaboration with other organizations and coalitions

Q: What are some of the notable achievements of NOW?

A: NOW has achieved a number of significant milestones in its history, including:

The passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in 1972
The establishment of the Women's Bureau in the Department of Labor
The creation of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 1994
The passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in 2009

Q: How can I get involved with NOW?

A: There are many ways to get involved with NOW, including:

Joining a local NOW chapter or affiliate
Volunteering for a NOW campaign or project
Donating to support NOW's work
Participating in NOW's online community and social media
Attending a NOW event or conference

Q: How can I stay up-to-date on NOW's work and activities?

A: You can stay up-to-date on NOW's work and activities by:

Visiting the NOW website and social media pages
Subscribing to the NOW newsletter and email updates
Following NOW on social media platforms
Attending a NOW event or conference
Contacting your local NOW chapter or affiliate for more information

Q: How can I support NOW's work financially?

A: You can support NOW's work financially by:

Donating to NOW directly
Making a monthly or annual contribution to NOW
Setting up a recurring donation to NOW
Participating in a NOW fundraising event or campaign
Leaving a legacy gift to NOW in your will or estate plan

Q: Is NOW a 501(c)(3) organization?

A: Yes, NOW is a 501(c)(3) organization, which means that it is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization under the Internal Revenue Code. This means that donations to NOW are tax-deductible, and that NOW is eligible to receive grants and other forms of funding from foundations and other organizations.

Q: How can I contact NOW for more information?

A: You can contact NOW for more information by:

Visiting the NOW website and filling out the contact form
Calling the NOW national office at (202) 628-8669
Emailing info@now.org
Following NOW on social media platforms and sending a direct message
Contacting your local NOW chapter or affiliate for more information