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Born
Bettye Noami Goldstein was born February 4, 1921, in Peoria, Illinois. -
Finished Education
Bettye graduated from Smith College with a degree in Psychology as Summa Cum Laude. After graduating, she went on to spend a year on a graduate fellowship to train as a psychologist at the University of California, Berkley. This gives insight into her character and her advance understanding of research later in her life. -
Involvement with the war
Friedan was involved in several political causes. She left the graduate program and went to New York to spend the next three years as a reporter for the Federated press. She later worked as a writer for the UE News, the media organ for United Electric, on radio, and finally, the Machine Workers of America. This sets us up to understand that she is a driven woman. She does what she can to help others and how filled her life was. A history of her work and how it helps her later on. -
Marriage
Betty married Carl Friedan. -
Became a Mother
She had three children. Over the years 1948,1952, and 1956. Then became a stay-at-home mom. -
The Feminine Mystique
Began to research what is now the Feminine Mystique -
Research
Freidan spent the next five years interviewing women after her high school reunion. She found others, like herself, unimpressed about the limited world of housewives. She spent those next five years charting white middle-class white women who transitioned from independent women to housewives post-war era.
In this transitional time, we start to see the start of one of her most treasured pieces of literature that shaped a whole movement. Including major companies that will help spread the message. -
Publication of the Feminine Mystique
The publication of the Feminine Mystique hit a nerve with certain readers. However, the book became an instant best-seller. As of today, it is still considered one of the most influential nonfiction books of the early 2oth century. The book spoke on many issues with the housewife's life and how many women felt unfulfilled with their new lives. The book helped bring this awareness to light and helped some women into the women's movement. Here is when we see all of her talents and studies pay off -
Leader of the NOW
At this time, Friedan joined forces with Pauli Murray and Aileen Hernandez to found the National Organization for Women (NOW), and Friedan was the first president. After vocalizing the issue of the outdated stigma of women, she used her power to push a new wave of Feminism into action. By setting up the organization, she could help other women who were stuck under the authority of men or felt their voices weren't being heard. -
Issues with her Activism
As more women spoke out, Friedan struggled to retain her leadership. Partly because her issues focused mainly on white, middle-class, heterosexual women. -
Activism through the late 60's/ early 70's
Helped found the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Law in 1969.
Organized the Women's strike for Equality (August 26th, 1970)
Co-founder of the National Women's Political Caucus with Congresswomen Bella Abzug, Shirley Chisholm, and feminist Gloria Steinem. (1971)
She challenged all the outdated laws, demanded equal pay, and spoke out against unfair hiring practices and pregnancy discrimination. -
Dubbed " The Mother of Modern Women's Movement
During her time of Activism, she was labeled as the Mother of the modern women's movement.
Following the 1970's she published several books. -
Late Life
Following her Activism, she taught at New York University and the University of Southern California. She also lectured at the Women's Conferences that were held around the world. -
Death
Friedan died from congestive heart failure -
Citations
Michals, Debra. “Betty Friedan.” National Women’s History Museum, 2017. (Date accessed on September 19, 2022)
Kaplan, Marion. "Betty Friedan." Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. June 23, 2021. Jewish Women's Archive. (Viewed on September 18, 2022)