Our History
The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States. It functions as a multi-issue, multi-strategy organization embracing a comprehensive approach to securing women's rights.
NOW was created shortly after Betty Friedan’s publication of The Feminine Mystique in 1963 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed sex discrimination. Although the President’s Commission on the Status of Women in 1961 began setting the stage for gender equality in areas such as employment, tax laws, education, and federal Social Security, many women felt that there was little to no enforcement. National interest in women’s rights was rapidly increasing, and in June 1966, in Betty Friedan’s Washington, DC, hotel room a number of feminist activists came together to form the National Organization for Women. By the end of the year, some 300 women and men had become charter members. Friedan served as the organization’s first president, focusing much of NOW’s efforts on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the repeal of anti-abortion laws.
Since its national founding NOW's goal has been to take full initiative on increasing the status of women across the board. Some key issues in which NOW has been active since its inception include: ratification of the ERA, repeal of abortion laws restricting women’s reproductive rights, opposing bigotry against the LGBTQ community, promoting same-sex marriage, and becoming heavily involved in political and legislative activism. The organization works to achieve equality for women through direct mass actions (including rallies, marches, and counter-demonstrations), educational programs, legislation, community events, lobbying, advocacy, and grassroots organizing.
Today, NOW has more than 500,000 contributing members and more than 500 local affiliates and campus action networks (CANs) in all 50 states. Many actions and stances NOW takes are often considered ahead of their time, but its principles have brought tremendous opportunities to women who would have not been afforded them otherwise.
The Massachusetts Chapter of NOW became a branch in 1968, and has since worked toward bringing about full equality for all women and girls in the Commonwealth.
Since its founding, Mass. NOW has worked tirelessly on issues both directly and indirectly affecting the lives of women. For instance, Mass. NOW is a member of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition and has advocated for the passage of the Transgender Equal Rights Bill, which would include gender identity and expression in the state’s non-discrimination statute. Mass. NOW has also been a champion for women’s rights on Beacon Hill, having seen tremendous success as a supporter of CORI Reform and marriage equality in the state of Massachusetts.
Mass. NOW works specifically to eliminate all violence against women, secure reproductive rights, eradicate sexism, racism, and homophobia, and secure economic equality and labor rights for all.