| 10-29 TABLE of CONTENTS:
Anniversary of the Formation of the
National Organization for Women (NOW)
DATES, ANNIVERSARIES, and
EVENTS
QUOTE from
the National Organization for Women's Statement of Purpose.
"Press for True Equality for All
Women in America."
According to the Feminist Chronicles, "At
the third annual conference of Commissions on the Status of Women In Washington,
DC, the failure of the EEOC to enforce Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
prompted the formation of NOW. Twenty-eight women contributed $5 each to
help fund its organization. The founding conference elected Betty Friedan
as President, Kay Clarenbach chair of the board, Aileen Hernandez executive
vice-president, Richard Graham vice president, and Caroline Davis, sec-treasurer."
The original Statement of Purpose adopted at the organizing conference
starts off: "We, men and women who
hereby constitute ourselves as the National Organization for Women, believe
that the time has come for a new movement toward true equality for all
women in America, and toward a fully equal partnership of the sexes, as
part of the world-wide revolution of human rights now taking pace within
and beyond our national borders.
"The purpose of NOW is to take action to
bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society
now, exercising all the privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly
equal partnership with men.
"We believe the time has come to move beyond
the abstract argument, discussion and symposia over the status and special
nature of women which has raged in America in recent years; the time has
come to confront, with concrete action, the conditions that now prevent
women from enjoying the equality of opportunity and freedom of choice which
is their right, as individual Americans, and as human beings.
"NOW is dedicated to the proposition that
women, first and foremost, are human beings, who, like all other people
in our society, must have the chance to develop their fullest human potential.
We believe that women can achieve such equality only be accepting to the
full the challenges and responsibilities they share with all other people
in our society, as part of the decision-making mainstream of American political,
economic and social life..."
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10-29 DATES, ANNIVERSARIES, and
EVENTS
B. 10-29-1875, Marie of Romania. Convinced
her husband King Ferdinand to join the Allies in World War I, and her
bravery as a front line nurse made her a national hero.
B. 10-29-1891 (?), Fanny Brice, comedienne
and singer, of stage, film, and radio. Longtime star of the Ziegfield
Follies, created the role of Baby Snooks on radio (1939-1951). In addition
to her comedic ability, was a renowned singer of torch songs.
B. 10-29-1908, Louise Bates Ames, renowned
child psychologist.
B. 10-29-1945, Melba Moore, singer and actor.
Event: 10-29-1966, formation of the National
Organization for Women to "bring
women into full participation in the mainstream of American society NOW!"
Event 10-29-1974, President Gerald Ford signs
law that forbids credit discrimination on the basis of sex. In November,
the Federal Home Loan Bank Board announces an end to discrimination in
mortgage lending. (1995 backlash finds many mortgage lenders reverting
by insisting on spousal credit/income.)
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QUOTES DU JOUR
"IN
THE INTERESTS OF THE HUMAN DIGNITY OF WOMEN, we will protest and endeavor
to change, the false image of women now prevalent in the mass media, and
in the texts, ceremonies, laws, and practices of our major social institutions.
Such images perpetuate contempt for women by society and by women for themselves.
We are similarly opposed to all policies and practices - in church, state,
college, factory or office - which, in the guise of protectiveness, not
only deny opportunities but also foster in women's self-denigration, dependence,
and evasion of responsibility, undermine their confidence in their own
abilities and foster contempt for women."
-- From NOW's 1966 organizing Statement of Purpose.
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