Betty Friedan

Betty Friedan was a prominent American feminist writer and activist.

She is best known for sparking the second wave of American feminism in the 20th century. Her work focused on the social and legal rights of women. She sought to bring women into the mainstream of American society. Her goal was to establish a fully equal partnership between women and men. Through her books and leadership, she changed how people viewed gender roles.

Friedan’s journey began with a deep interest in psychology and social justice. She was born on February 4, 1921, in Peoria, Illinois. Her family had roots in Russia and Hungary. During her youth, she felt a strong passion against injustice. She often connected this feeling to the anti-Semitism she witnessed. In college, she studied psychology at Smith College.

She graduated summa cum laude in 1942. Later, she studied at the University of California, Berkeley. Her early career involved working as a journalist for labor union publications.

In 1957, Friedan conducted a survey of college graduates. She wanted to understand their lives and their satisfaction levels. This research led her to identify a widespread phenomenon. She called it "the problem that has no name." Many suburban housewives felt a strange sense of dissatisfaction. They felt trapped by the expectations of the 1950s. They often felt a yearning for something more. This realization became the foundation for her most famous work.

In 1963, she published her landmark book, *The Feminine Mystique*.

The book described the stifling roles of full-time homemakers. Friedan argued that women were capable of any career path. She challenged the idea that women should only focus on domestic life. The book became a massive bestseller. Many historians credit this book with starting the second wave of feminism. It encouraged women to seek education and professional growth.

Friedan was also a powerful organizational leader. In 1966, she co-founded the National Organization for Women, known as NOW.

She was elected as the organization's first president. She famously scribbled the acronym "NOW" on a paper napkin. The group focused on legal equality and economic rights. They lobbied for the enforcement of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. They also supported the Equal Pay Act of 1963. These efforts helped stop sex discrimination in many areas of employment.

Her activism extended to large-scale public demonstrations. In 1970, she organized the Women's Strike for Equality. This event took place on August 26. This date marked the 50th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment. This amendment had granted women the right to vote. The strike was a massive success for the movement. In New York City, the march led by Friedan attracted over 50,000 people. She also helped establish the National Women's Political Caucus in 1971.

Friedan spent much of the 1970s advocating for the Equal Rights Amendment. This amendment aimed to guarantee equality under the law. The amendment passed the House of Representatives with a 354–24 vote. It also passed the Senate with an 84–8 vote. Friedan and other groups used intense pressure to achieve these results. She also worked on issues like national daycare and access to public places. For example, she helped end gender restrictions in certain business venues.

As she grew older, Friedan's views on feminism evolved. She wrote six books throughout her career. In 1981, she published *The Second Stage*. In this book, she critiqued what she saw as extremist factions of feminism. She was concerned about groups that attacked men or homemakers. She remained an influential intellectual and activist until the late 1990s. Her life's work helped reshape the political and social landscape for women in America.