National Organization for Women

Freedom for Women Week

(05/04-11/69)

During the “Freedom for Women Week,” members of NOW demonstrated at the White House on Mother’s Day for “Rights, Not Roses.” Other demonstrations occurred in Chicago, Albuquerque and Los Angeles.

Mother’s Day Protest

During “Freedom for Women Week” NOW held a demonstration in front of the White House, in Chicago, Albuquerque and Los Angeles.

Signs read: “Rights, not Roses.”

NOW declares “Freedom For Women Week”

NOW has declared that 5/4-5/11/69 is “Freedom for Women Week”. Join now in demonstrations across the country for the equality of women! Declare your freedom, or freedom for the women in your life!

Sports Task Force Establishment

(03/29/69)

NOW’s National Board established a Sports Task Force. Its first objective is to integrate the Soapbox Derby.

Logo

Ivy Bottini, a founder of the New York Chapter of NOW and a graphic designer, at the request of Aileen Hernandez, has created the new NOW logo!

Women's Studies in Universities

NOW Chapters were involved in efforts to establish women’s studies courses at universities in California, Michigan and at newly co-educational Princeton University.

The first accredited women’s studies course appeared in the spring curriculum of Cornell University in New York State as a result of efforts by the recently formed Cornell-Ithaca Chapter of NOW!

U.S. Court of Appeals rules in Weeks v. Southern Bell

A major NOW victory! The U.S. Court of Appeals (fifth circuit) has ruled that the weight-lifting rule for women violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Lorena Weeks had been barred from a promotion to switchman due to the rules which prohibit women from lifting more than 30 pounds. NOW attorney, Sylvia Roberts used as evidence Weeks’ typewriter for her current position as a secretary, which also weighed more than 30 pounds.

Congratulations!!

The Plaza Protest

NOW Chapters all over the country have been demanding equality in all public facilities! Betty Friedan and three other women staged a sit-in at the Oak Room Restaurant at The Plaza Hotel in New York City today. The Plaza strictly enforces a “Men’s Only” lunch from 12-3 p.m. every day. Upon sitting down, the women’s table was physically removed by four waiters leaving the women to sit in an empty circle. Stay strong and keep demanding equal service in public accommodations!

A post written by Dolores Alexander
Cred.: The Sisterhood by Marcia Cohen

NOW welcomes Dolores Alexander!

NOW welcomes Dolores Alexander as its first National Executive Director. Dolores Alexander was a prize-winning reporter for Newsday, a Long Island daily newspaper. We are happy to have her on the NOW team!

Public Accommodations Week

(02/09/69)

NOW has proclaimed this week as “Public Accommodations Week”. Join us in our national actions at “men only” restaurants, bars, and public transportation across the country, including: New York City, Syracuse, Cochester (CT), Pittsburgh, Washington, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles, or start your own!

The assumptions behind policies like this are that women are not involved in business. Further, that unescorted women in bars were there for only one purpose: soliciting men for prostitution. In the Call to Action, Karen DeCrow, the national coordinator of the action, pointed out that Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 forbade discrimination against anyone on the basis of race color, religion, or national origin in places of public accommodation but did not exclude discrimination on the basis of sex. Yet, she wrote, “the most basic right of all may be the right to equal treatment in places of public accommodation.” Deman equality of treatment in public accommodations!

Among the places to be picketed are the Oak Room at the Plaza Hotel in New York by New York NOW, Stouffers Grill in Pittsburgh by Pittsburgh NOW, the Polo Lounge of the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles by Los Angles NOW.