Betty Friedan

Betty Friedan 1960

Betty Friedan (February 4, 1921 – February 4, 2006) was an American feminist writer and activist. A leading figure in the women's movement in the United States, her 1963 book The Feminine Mystique is often credited with sparking the second wave of American feminism in the 20th century. Friedan co-founded and was elected the first president of the National Organization for Women (NOW) in 1966, which aimed to bring women into the mainstream of American society now fully equal partnership with men.

Early Life and Education

Betty Friedan was born Bettye Naomi Goldstein in Peoria, Illinois, to Harry and Miriam Goldstein. Her parents were Jewish immigrants, and she grew up in a middle-class family. Friedan showed an early interest in writing and activism; she started her career in journalism after graduating from Smith College in 1942 with a degree in psychology. Later, she attended the University of California, Berkeley, for graduate work in psychology but left to pursue a career in journalism.

Career

Friedan's early career was marked by her work as a freelance writer for various left-wing publications. However, her most notable work came with the publication of The Feminine Mystique in 1963. In this groundbreaking book, Friedan challenged the widely shared belief that women could only find fulfillment through housework, marriage, and motherhood. The book quickly became a bestseller and laid the foundation for the modern feminist movement.

Following the success of The Feminine Mystique, Friedan became a leading figure in the women's movement. She was instrumental in organizing the Women's Strike for Equality in 1970, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. This event was pivotal in bringing women's issues to the forefront of American politics.

In 1966, Friedan helped found the National Organization for Women (NOW), which aimed to advocate for women's rights. Under her leadership, NOW focused on a wide range of women's issues, including employment, education, and reproductive rights. Friedan served as NOW's first president until 1970.

Later Life and Legacy

In her later years, Friedan focused on the issue of aging, publishing The Fountain of Age in 1993, which challenged societal attitudes towards aging. She remained an active advocate for women's rights until her death from congestive heart failure on her 85th birthday, February 4, 2006.

Betty Friedan's work had a profound impact on the women's movement and American society. Her writings and activism helped to change societal norms and laws, making significant strides towards gender equality. Friedan's legacy is remembered as that of a pioneering feminist who fought tirelessly for women's rights.

Major Works

• The Feminine Mystique (1963)
• It Changed My Life: Writings on the Women's Movement (1976)
• The Second Stage (1981)
• The Fountain of Age (1993)

See Also

• Feminism
• Women's liberation movement
• Gloria Steinem
• Simone de Beauvoir