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Betty Friedan's Birth
February 4, 1921, in Peoria, Illinois. Her parents were immigrants from Russia and Hungary. Her parents supported her education and wanted her to attend college. -
The Very Important Reunion
In 1957, Friedan went to her high school 15-year reunion, where she conducted a survey about their lives. Upset by the responses of women who gave up their dreams for their motherhood, Friedan began to write The Feminine Mystique. This survey would spark women towards feminism, and help push for women to be fulfilled and happy with their lives and not be pushed into roles. -
The Public Goes Wild for The Feminine Mystique
In 1963, The Feminine Mystique is published and becomes a great seller. The book focuses on the idea that women were unhappy with being forced into the housewife role. It was "the problem that has no name". The book brought public knowledge to the subject and guided many white middle-class women toward the feminist movement. The popularity of the book later made it to politicians who then began to look at the treatment of women. This book pushed for feminism and the need for equality! -
Friedan Cofounds the National Organization for Women
In 1966, Friedan cofounds the National Organization for Women along with Pauli Murray and Aileen Hernandez. Friedan was then named the first president of the organization. She also created NOW's mission statement, "to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now, exercising all the privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal partnership with men." This organization continues to be a leading group for feminist activism. -
Founding the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws
In 1969, Friedan helped found the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws, now known as the NARAL Pro-choice America. Its goal was to protect reproductive freedom. This advocated gender equality by allowing women their rights to their bodies. This organization still continues to advocate and campaign for women's rights. -
Organized Women’s Strike for Equality!
In 1970, Friedan organized a strike on the 50th anniversary of women's suffrage, which was the 19th amendment allowing women to vote. 50,000 feminists marched, stopping their household duties in order to bring attention to the inequality between men and women. The march did make a powerful impact creating The passage of Title IX in 1972 which forbids sex discrimination in any educational program. This was a huge step in working towards equality as it allowed for women to have access to education -
The National Women’s Political Caucus
In 1971, Friedan co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus and Congresswoman Bella Abzug, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, and feminist Gloria Steinem. The organization was created to increase women's inclusion and political and public life. They worked on changing outdated laws. NWPC trained women for public office, to lobby, how to vote, and much more. This was another large step for Friedan's incorporation to equality; this allowed women to gain a political standing! -
It Changed My Life: Writings on the Women's Movement
In 1976, Friedan published her follow-up book titled It Changed My Life: Writings on the Women's Movement. The book goes into the depths of Friedan's experience in activism. She talks of the different political movements, the organization she founded, and even her backlash from other feminists. The book gives great insight to understanding what women back then had to go through so that today we have freedom over our lives and our happiness. -
A book for all: Beyond Gender: The New Politics of Family and Work
In 1976, Friedan created another follow-up titled Beyond Gender: The New Politics of Family and Work. This book discussed the need for societal reform, rather than focusing on one sex or the other-- we need to come together as a community. The book is her analysis of how this shift could occur, and the anxieties that could come with it. However, it has a great emphasis on forgetting all discriminator factors, and all coming together as one. -
United Nation's Decade for Women
Friedan was a delegate for the United Nation's Decade for Women in 1975, 1980, and 1985. These conferences were focused on issues affecting women including unequal pay, gendered violence, and so much more. After the three meetings, there were changes seen in policies impacting women. -
Receiving the Eleanor Roosevelt Leadership Award
Betty Friedan receives the Eleanor Roosevelt Leadership Award, which honors an individual who makes "outstanding contributions" to the equality of women and girls. -
Citations
Michals, D. (Ed.). (2017). Betty Friedan. National Women's History Museum. Retrieved September 14, 2021, from https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/betty-friedan. Parry, M. (2010, September). Betty Friedan: Feminist Icon and Founder of the National Organization for Women. American Journal of Public Health. Retrieved September 14, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2920964/.