National Organization for Women (NOW) is an American feminist group founded on June 30, 1966 in Washington, D.C. by women attending the Third National Conference of the Commission on the Status of Women. Among the 28 founders were Betty Friedan, author of The Feminine Mystique (1963), who became NOW's first president, and Rev. Pauli Murray , the first African-American woman Episcopal priest. Molly Yard was president from 1987 to 1991. During the 1970s NOW promoted the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In 1966 they introduced the "Statement of Purpose". In this document they outline the basic demands and ideals of the American feminist movement of the time.
In Cincinnati, Ohio, 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 convention issued a "Declaration of Women's Political Independence ." An exploratory commission was formed for the possibilities of expanding the United States Bill of Rights to include freedom from sexual discrimination, the right to a decent standard of living, the right to clean air, clean water and environmental protections, 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 Barry .
The group's original purpose (which Friedman scribbled on a napkin) remains "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 organization remains active in lobbying legislatures and media outlets on women's issues.
It claims 500,000 contributing members and 550 chapters in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
The National Organization for Women has been subject to criticism from many who claim to represent the male perspective. An example of this is articles in Men's News Daily by writer Robert F. Gay.
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