#primarydocumentset

[queensoffeminism-blog]

Primary Document Set

Written Documents

Bender, Marylin. "The Feminists Are On the March Once More." New York Times. December 14, 1967. http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F10B15FB3D54137A93C6A81789D95F438685F9 (accessed November 11, 2013).

This article featured in the New York Times in 1967 discusses another demonstration day for the National Organization for Women over the laxity of the E.E.O.C enforcing sexual discrimination in the workplace. Her article also briefly describes various members of NOW and their personal contributions to the group. This is an article that will help connect the daily workings of the group to the overall movement.

Bender, Marylin. "The Women Who'd Trade In Their Pedestal for Total Equality; It's the Current Topic." The Women Who'd Trade In Their Pedestal for Total Equality. February 04, 1970. Accessed November 5, 2013. http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F50C17F83A5C117A93C6A91789D85F448785F9.

Marylin Bender’s article in the New York Times from 1970 classifies the various groups within the Women’s Liberation Movement. She speaks briefly on groups such as the National Organization for Women, Redstockings, WITCH, and the Feminist. Her perspective of the groups and movement as a whole is deeply educational and interesting. She describes American men seeing woman as the most pampered and privileged class in the nation. Bender argues that two common demands are wanted by almost every group in the movement, which is the repeal of all abortion laws and free childcare centers across the country. She is yet another author to illustrate the increased demands of the Women’s Liberation Movement.

Brown, Rita Mae. Rubyfruit Jungle. New York: Bantam, 1977.

Rita Mae Brown’s autobiography is a coming of age tale. It depicts her experiences growing up as a lesbian in the U.S. Her book made waves once it was published. The book is known for its no-holding-back language and will be a critical part of my research.

  Chisholm, Shirley. Unbought and Unbossed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1970.

The biography by Shirley Chisholm gives an account of her life, from childhood on. She was a founding member of NOW, the National Organization for Women. She also became the first African-American Congresswoman from Texas. Her personal story, as well as her involvement in NOW, will help me shape my research

"CONGRESS IS WARNED OF FEMINIST STRIKE." New York Times. May 7, 1970.  http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F10610F7345517768FDDA10894DD405B808BF1D3. Accessed November 3, 2013.

This article in the New York Times informed the public of a threat to strike given by Betty Friedan, President of NOW, if an equal rights amendment was not sent to the states for ratification by a certain date. It also mentions the strike on August 26th, the 50th anniversary of the 19th amendment added to the Constitution. It shows the group’s clear involvement with legal matters in the nation.

Firestone, Shulamith. The Dialectic of Sex ; the Case for Feminist Revolution. New York: Morrow, 1970.

This revolutionary book by Shulamith Firestone was the first to create a feminist theory of politics during second-wave feminism.  Firestone sees feminism as a major ideology that needs to be included in the ranks of Marx and Freud. She argues that women will forever be inferior unless they can take control of one thing males cannot do, which is to bear children. This book will be an important asset to research on different feminist theories from the time that relate to NOW.

Friedan, Betty. Life So Far: A Memoir. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000.

Betty Friedan’s memoir provides personal insight into the major events of the Feminist Movement, especially the inner workings of the National Organization for Women. As a founder and President of the organization, she has priceless information about how it was run during it’s beginning years and the many struggles that ensued. Her memoir will add a human factor to my research and a depth that cannot be found with more scholarly articles and monographs.

Friedan, Betty. The Feminine Mystique. New York: W.W. Norton, 1963.

            Betty Friedan combined both psychological and journalist research for her 1963 book. She described a change from more career-focused women in the early 20th century to women completely focused on the home. She included various sections of society that reinforced the idea of a “Feminine Mystique”, shaping thoughts that pinned the ultimate desire of all women to become a housewife and mother. A woman’s greatest achievement was supposed to be centered about taking care of other people and getting complete fulfillment from it. This book is widely believed to have sparked the beginning of Second-Wave feminism, thus it’s important in any study of the feminist movement is essential.

Friedan, Betty. "The National Organization for Women's 1966 Statement of Purpose." The National Organization for Women's 1966 Statement of Purpose. Accessed November 01, 2013. http://www.now.org/history/purpos66.html.

The Statement of Purpose drafted by NOW’s Betty Friedan outlines the group’s main goals after its inception. NOW wants to see a shift in American society and see women participating completely in different roles. They will work within the American legal system to see the emergence of new laws benefiting women.

Greer, Germaine. The Female Eunuch. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1971.

            Germaine Greer compares a female eunuch to a man who has been castrated and thus lost his sexual organs. She argues consistently throughout the book that females have been repressed from the traditional roles in society that they place themselves in. This was another landmark book during the Woman’s movement that carried over into the 1970s. Originally published in England, this text came at the beginning of a new decade- the 1970s. It would be interesting and of use to research material that came after the initial beginnings of the Second-Wave.

Lear, Martha. "The Second Feminist Wave." New York Times. March 10, 1968. http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=F40F12FC3E5D137A93C2A81788D85F4C8685F9 (accessed November 6, 2013).

Lear describes the methods of protest used by the National Organization of Women during the late 1960s. She also illustrates their involvement to have Title VII of the E.E.O.C enforced. Of the 1,200 members of now in 1968, many were lawyers or involved in academia. Lear includes personal accounts of women that are in NOW and their struggles with a sexist America.

Millett, Kate. Sexual Politics. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1970.

Kate Millett’s book, originally published in 1970, caused a firestorm of controversy and harsh critiques. The feminist text focuses on the political aspect of sex, which before then was not researched so in depth. She basically argues that sex is ignored too much in politics, when they should be highlighted upon. This text will go along with the politic and legal goals of NOW that will be researched.

Morgan, Robin. Going Too Far: The Personal Chronicle of a Feminist. New York: Random House, 1977.

This text is a personal account by Robin Morgan. She covers topics from man-hating to men’s liberation groups, which she condemns. She has been a figurehead among the radical feminist movement and also the editor of Ms. Magazine. Her text will provide insight into the radical feminist movement and how their views differed from those of liberal feminists.

National Organization for Women. “Bill of Rights for Women in 1968.” Cengage. 1968. http://www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/samples/sp692484.pdf (Accessed November 2, 2013).

The National Organization for Women created their Bill of Rights at their national convention in 1968. The major points the Bill of Rights include are an Equal Rights Amendment, free childcare centers, and maternity leave. In depth study into this major piece of NOW history will help understand their major goals and demands during their reign in the 1960s and early 1970s.

National Organization for Women. "Task Force on Legal and Political Rights (1967)." The Feminist Chronicles, 1953-1993 - Part III, The Early Documents - Feminist Majority Foundation. Accessed October 27, 2013. http://www.feminist.org/research/chronicles/early1.html.

The Task Force on Legal and Political Rights of NOW began in 1966, the same year the group was founded. This task force works for equality under the law for women. It also encourages women to participate in all form of American politics by voting and running for elected offices at each level.

NOW. "An Invitation to Join – September, 1966” The Feminist Chronicles, 1953-1993 - Part III, The Early Documents - Feminist Majority Foundation. Accessed November 01, 2013. http://www.feminist.org/research/chronicles/early1.html.

This document invites all who agree with their purpose to join the fight for equal rights for women. The Invitation to join, written in 1966, promises NOW’s devotion to creating a society where women are equal with men in all respects.  Each segment of American society will be open to women, where they can reap privileges that men currently have. The only cost for admission is $5. This document will identify the main goals of the group and how they advertised these goals to gain members.

Our Bodies, Our Selves: A Course by and for Women. Boston, MA: New England Free Press, 1971.

This was a book about women’s health originally published in 1971. It was written by various feminist activists to provide insight into female health issues from females themselves. The chapters in the book cover topics such as sexuality, pregnancy, and menopause. It became very popular, especially in the Northeast, as women sought out health information written by their very own peers.

Steinem, Gloria. "After Black Power, Women's Liberation." New York Magazine, April 4, 1969. Accessed October 31, 2013. http://nymag.com/news/politics/46802/.

Gloria Steinem illustrates the process of change with the Liberated Women over the decade of the 1960s. The demands have grown steadily more aggressive and broader. They have emerged from the Black Power and Civil Rights Movements with secondary positions to becoming leaders of the Women Liberation Movement. Along with the move, they have taken the idea that “you don’t get radicalized fighting other people’s battles” to heart and allow mainly women to direct the courses of action. This is an article that links the two movements of the decade together with displays of similarities along the way.

Ware, Cellestine. Woman Power: The Movement for Women's Liberation. New York: Tower Publications, 1970.

The author of this book champions a radical feminist theory. Ware shows the differences between the new Radical feminist and the old. Their demands have grown fiercer and proceed with less patience then before.  This is another source to gain understanding into the radical feminist movement as opposed to liberal feminist and the National Organization for Women.

10 Photographs

Betty Friedan 1970 protest. Digital image. Looking Back at a Domestic Cri De Coeur. February 18, 2013. Accessed October 30, 2013. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/books/betty-friedans-feminine-mystique-50-years-later.html?_r=1&.

This photograph included in a New York Times Article shows Betty Friedan at a protest in 1970. Above her is a large banner depicting the words “Women Unite!” written on it. Friedan’s book, Feminine Mystique, is often linked to the beginning of the second-wave feminism in the 1960s. The picture shows that she was a very active in the movement and it’s workings within the public eye.

Betty Friedan leading group of demonstrators to Congressional Office to show support for E.R.A. 1971. Digital image. The Long March towards Women's Equality Continues. Accessed November 2, 2013. http://www.vfa.us/Suffrage.htm.

This is another photograph of Betty Friedan leading a group of protesters. She was frequently on the front-lines of the battles for women’s rights. In this particular photograph, she was marching to show support of the Equal Rights Amendment she worked vigorously to pass alongside with NOW, the National Organization for Women’s Rights. It was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that ultimately lacked enough ratifications by the states. On the deadline of June 30, 1982, the amendment was three states short of being ratified.

"Betty Friedan Talks to Reporters." Digital image. Picture History. Accessed November 01, 2013. http://www.picturehistory.com/product/id/12889.

Betty Friedan is seen in the photograph talking to reporters in New York at the New York State Assembly on April 4, 1967. Along with other women, she was working to have legislatures put “sex” into section I of the New York Constitution. The photograph was originally published in the New York World-Telegram and Sun.

"First Black Woman Elected to Congress." Digital image. Take Part. May 10, 2012. http://www.takepart.com/photos/famous-firsts-women-politics/first-black-woman-ele.

Shirley Chisholm is shown at the 1972 Democratic National Convention in this photograph. She was the first African-American women to be elected to Congress. In 1968, she became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for the state of New York. She served in this capacity until 1983. In January 1972, she was the first black candidate for a major political party for the office of the President of the United States. She also competed for the Democratic presidential nomination that same year.

Gloria Steinem Speaking on Ms. magazine, 1972. Digital image. Need Supply Co. March 25, 2013. http://blog.needsupply.com/2013/03/25/in-celebration-of-gloria-steinem/.

Gloria Steinem was cofounder of Ms. magazine, a liberal feminist magazine that began in 1971. In this photograph, she is seen speaking about the magazine with a picture of the cover behind her. It shows a pregnant Jimmy Carter with the title “Carter discovers “Life is Unfair” and More Exposes of the First Year”. Steinem was a figurehead for the women’s liberation movement in the 1960s and 1970s. Her career began as a journalist, with her becoming a leader in the movement soon after.

Joel, Yale. Gloria Steinem, 1965. Digital image. Edith's Head. 2011. http://edithshead.tumblr.com/post/1622351880/gloria-steinem-1965-photo-by-yale-joel.

Gloria Steinem is pictured holding a sign with the words “We shall overcome” in a 1965 edition of LIFE Magazine. Being featured in LIFE shows the popularity of Steinem at the time. The phrase written on the sign is one from one of the key protest songs for the Civil Rights Movement. It was also used in Dr. Martin Luther King’s final sermon before his death in 1968. Women’s liberation looked to the Civil Rights Movement for guidance and admired the accomplishments they experienced during the 1960s.

"Ms. Magazine July 1972 Cover." Digital image. Huffington Post. June 13, 2012. Accessed November 2, 2013. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/13/celebrating-the-birth-of-ms-magazine_n_1588015.html.

The first issue of Ms. magazine shows Wonder Women on the cover along with the title “Wonder Woman for President”. It was a controversial cover to debut the magazine with, but clearly showed the direction of its material. Many other covers followed, such as one showing the announcement of Shirley Chisholm and Sissy Farenthold to run for President and Vice President. It was the first national magazine to focus on feminism and different aspects of the women’s liberation movement.

"The National Organization of Women Is Established." Digital image. Take Part. May 10, 2012. Accessed October 29, 2013. http://www.takepart.com/photos/famous-firsts-women-politics/the-national-organization-of-women-is-established.

This photograph shows leaders of the National Organization for Women speaking in front of the United States Supreme Court building in Washington DC. NOW was very active in working for legal rights for women. They worked with the EEOC and held many hearings regarding sex discrimination in the workplace and various ways to fix it. NOW was also a leader in supporting the Equal Rights Amendment.

  "National Organizing Conference, October 1966." Digital image. National Organization for Women. July 2006. Accessed November 01, 2013. http://www.now.org/history/1966conference.html.

The image is a group of 30 members of NOW at the National Organizing Conference held in October 1966. Officers were nominated at the conference in Washington D.C., which elected Betty Freidan as President. At this two day meeting in Washington D.C., the Statement of Purpose was adopted for the group. Among the women there were Pauli Murray, Sonia Pressman, Alice Rossi, and others.

A women's-liberation parade on Fifth Avenue, New York, August 1971. Digital image. The New Yorker. November 16, 2009. http://www.google.com/imgres?sa=X&rlz=1C1SKPH_enUS395US395&espv=210&es_sm=93&biw=1241&bih=615&tbm=isch&tbnid=NAzz1E3ovbo2iM:&imgrefurl=http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2009/11/16/091116crbo_books_levy&docid=wspfTVneRuSDvM&imgurl=http://www.newyorker.com/images/2009/11/16/p465/091116_r19025_p465.jpg&w=465&h=315&ei=VdF1UrSiG--1sATkj4GoCg&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:11,s:0,i:112&iact=rc&page=1&tbnh=167&tbnw=243&start=0&ndsp=15&tx=70&ty=122.

Members of the National Organization for Women march down Fifth Avenue in New York City in this image. They were marching for equality for all, including women. NOW was frequently active in New York City, a hub for the feminist movement. In 1971, the movement was still going strong in its fight for women’s rights.

              5 Audio

Chisholm, Shirley. Shirley Chisholm Campaigns for Nomination. 1972. Accessed November 3, 2013. http://www.history.com/speeches/chisolm-is-first-african-american-to-run-for-president-on-major-ticket#shirley-chisholm-campaigns-for-nomination.

On her run for President in 1972, Chisholm speaks about her views on equality. She fights against the tradition of women being lesser than men in all forms. Her run for Presidency directly opposes the thought that women shouldn’t have equal rights as men. She also urges the country to transform its’ battered Republic and dissolve the troubles surrounding sexist behaviors and thoughts.

      Chisholm, Shirley. "Shirley Chisholm Runs for Presidential Nomination." Recorded 1972. Accessed November 4, 2013. http://www.history.com/speeches/chisolm-is-first-african-american-to-run-for-president-on-major-ticket#chisolm-is-first-african-american-to-run-for-president-on-major-ticket.

In her 1972 speech seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, she lists her beliefs on various issues in the country. Chisholm promises to tell the truth about matters in the nation suffered by American people and work to find solutions for them. Senator George McGovern ultimately secured the party’s nomination to run for President.

"Equal Rights Amendment Debate Between Friedan and Phyllis Schlafly." Recorded September 27, 1976. 1976, CD. Accessed November 6, 2013. http://oasis.lib.harvard.edu/oasis/deliver/~sch01317.

This audio clip is a debate between Friedan and Phyllis Schlafly in 1976. Schlafly is well known as a conservative opposed to the modern feminism supported by Friedan and many others at the time. She actively campaigned against the Equal Rights Amendment with the STOP ERA campaign. She believed the benefits women had at the time would be taken away from women if the amendment were to be ratified by the states. She helped the belief that women would then have to be up for the draft to spread across the country and create fear of the amendment among women.

Feminists March on 50th Anniversary of 19th Amendment. Recorded August 1970. 1970. Accessed November 2, 2013. http://www.history.com/speeches/us-feminists-march-on-50th-anniversary-of-19th-amendment-adoption#us-feminists-march-on-50th-anniversary-of-19th-amendment-adoption.

“Sisterhood is Powerful, Join us now!” This was one of the group chants led by women on a march for equality in 1970. There were demonstrations across the country in support of the 50th anniversary of the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution. The 19th amendment finally prohibited anyone in the country from being denied the right to vote, no matter what sex they were. The Suffrage Movement of the early 20th Century is considered First-Wave Feminism.

Steinem, Gloria. Gloria Steinem Addresses the Women of America. Recorded July 10, 1971. Accessed November 3, 2013. http://www.history.com/speeches/gloria-steinem-addresses-the-nwpc#gloria-steinem-addresses-the-nwpc.

This is the beginning clip of Gloria Steinem’s speech at the National Women’s Political Caucus in 1971. She spoke about her belief that sex and race were basically easy ways to divide the human race into inferior and superior groups. She wanted to change the face of humanism in the world to include equality for all, no matter the race or gender of a person.

2 Videos

Friedan, Betty. RetroBites: Betty Friedan: Men (1964). 1964. Accessed November 3, 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfgxHKli9CU.

In this video clip from 1964, Betty Friedan commends the males in the nation who indirectly help the women’s liberation movement. She believes the men who are “strong enough to be gentle” are vital to the movement, and a very important part. They are able to show other men that it is not necessary to force dominance over other people, particularly women. She also praises their ability to be independent in their selves.

"Gloria Steinem: Feminist." Interview. YouTube. June 15, 2011. Accessed November 2, 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu8INQWP5yY.

This is an interview that aired on CBC on 1971. Gloria Steinem is played a recording of a woman voicing her idea of Steinem’s true personality, which she describes as quite pushy. Steinem response is about the image of women who have pushed the bounds of society and the traditional roles of women. Many times, they are labeled as pushy and shrew, which is simply not the case.

2 Movement Artifacts

"Vintage 3/4" Shirley Chisholm for President Campaign Button." Digital image. Hearts Delight Antiques. Accessed November 1, 2013. http://www.heartsdelightantiques.com/component/hikashop/product/239-vintage-1-3-4-shirley-chisholm-for-president-campaign-button.

This artifact is a button used in Shirley Chisholm’s Presidential campaign in 1972. The phrase “Catalyst for Change” is printed on it, clearly showing that Chisholm was running on a platform of change and equality for women in the United States. She would run against the roles that tradition gave women in the United States.

"Women Are" NOW Poster, 1970. National Organization for Women, 1970. Accessed October 29, 2013. http://www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/schlesinger-library/collection/records-national-organization-women.

“Women Are” was a NOW poster from 1970. It lists various things that women are, such as aggressive, courageous, and intelligent. The poster states that women are human beings, which is a statement in itself. Once classified as a human being, people, in particular women, should be able to have all the rights of other facets of society. NOW was particularly good at depicting the strength of the female.