Celebrating Six Decades of NOW - National Organization for Women

For 60 years, the National Organization for Women (NOW) has stood at the forefront of social change—mobilizing, organizing, and transforming communities for gender justice and equality. What began as a bold vision in 1966, led by Betty Friedan, Dr. Reverend Pauli Murray, and Muriel Fox, has grown into the largest grassroots feminist organization in the United States. These visionary women and their peers turned outrage into organization—and sparked a movement that changed the course of American history.

Today, NOW continues to drive intersectional activism across every state, advancing reproductive freedom, racial justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, and constitutional equality. With a growing network of chapters and digital platforms, NOW remains a powerful voice uniting generations in the ongoing fight for true gender equity.

A Legacy of Action and Achievement

Equal Rights and Opportunity: Pioneering advocacy for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), pay equity, and workplace equality.
Reproductive Freedom: Defending every person’s right to access comprehensive reproductive health care, from the early days of Roe v. Wade to the ongoing fight for bodily autonomy.
Ending Violence Against Women: Championing the Violence Against Women Act and pressing for justice and safety in every community.
LGBTQIA+ Rights: Advancing inclusion, visibility, and equality for all identities, long before it was politically popular to do so.
Racial Justice: Dedicated to dismantling structural racism and its compounded impact on women, trans women, and girls.
Economic: Uniting movements to confront systemic inequities, close wage gaps, and demand dignity and fairness in every workplace and community.

For six decades, we have marched, voted, rallied, lobbied, and transformed.

The Work Ahead: The Future Is NOW

While we celebrate our victories, the road ahead demands renewed courage and collective action. The fight for equality is not over—it’s evolving. As we step into the next 60 years, we face critical challenges that will define the future of women’s rights and human rights.

Capsule 1 (Q1): The Cost of Being a Woman – NOW will address the rising costs of living in today’s America and the disproportionate burden women carry economically.
Capsule 2 (Q2): Protecting Care, Protecting Choice – NOW will continue to defend access to healthcare and reproductive freedom nationwide in a post-Roe era.
Capsule 3 (Q3): Securing Rights, Shaping the Future – NOW is committed to protecting the foundations of democracy, fostering increased civic engagement in their communities, and ensuring constitutional equity by finally enshrining the ERA into law.
Capsule 4 (Q4): Ending Gender Violence – NOW will confront the surge in gender-based violence and online harassment with renewed urgency.

NOW’s mission remains as urgent and as vibrant as ever—to build a future where every person, regardless of gender, race, or background, can thrive.

Tools to get this work done!

Calendar of Events
Global Toolkit
Actionable Work
Social Media Warriors

Honoring the Founders: Betty, Pauli, and Muriel’s Vision Lives On

We stand on the shoulders of giants. Betty Friedan, Dr. Reverend Pauli Murray, and Muriel Fox were among the founding members who helped craft the blueprint for a movement that continues to demand equality at every level of society. Their intellect, courage, and relentless commitment to justice built the foundation for all we do today—and all we will achieve tomorrow.

Read more about NOW’s history here.

Join the Movement. The Future Belongs to You.

To all Millennials and Gen Z changemakers—this is your time. NOW’s next 60 years depend on your voice, your creativity, and your conviction. Join us as we harness the power of new platforms, new ideas, and new generations to continue the fight for gender equality, social justice, and true democracy.