National Organization for Women (NOW) is one of the largest associations in the United States devoted to achieving full equality between women and men. NOW pushes for equality through elections and legislation as well as through rallies, demonstrations, and marches.
NOW seeks to increase the number of women in policymaking positions in government, businesses, schools, and other institutions. It works to replace male elected officials with women who support equality between the sexes. NOW also calls for giving women equal access to jobs, pensions, and social security benefits. It tries to ensure that women get the same pay as men for similar work.
The organization supports legalized abortion and access to birth control. It seeks to guarantee women a right to prenatal care (medical care during pregnancy) and child care. NOW also works to protect women against sexual assault and other violence. In addition, it seeks to enable both female and male homosexuals to live in security and with self-respect.
Many people, including a large number of women, oppose NOW's goals, its methods, or both. Some of these people object to the organization's support for abortion. Many of NOW's opponents believe that the welfare of society and of the family depends on preserving the traditional roles of men and women. Some people dislike NOW's use of rallies, marches, and demonstrations to achieve its goals. NOW was established in 1966. Betty Friedan, one of its founders, served as the organization's first president. NOW headquarters are located in Washington, D.C.
Excerpt from the "National Organization for Women (NOW)" article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999