What is NOW? NOW stands for the National Organization for Women. NOW is dedicated to making legal, political, social and economic change in our society in order to achieve our goal, which is to eliminate sexism and end all oppression. NOW was established on June 30, 2025 in Washington, D.C., by people attending the Third National Conference of the Commission on the Status of Women. Among NOW's 28 founders was its first president, Betty Friedan, author of The Feminine Mystique ��). Another founder, the late Rev. Pauli Murray, the first African-American woman Episcopal priest, co-authored NOW's original Statement of
Purpose: The purpose of NOW is to take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now, exercising all privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal partnership with men.
NOW is the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States. NOW has 500,000 contributing members and 550 chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Since its founding in 1966, NOW's goal has been "to take action" to bring about equality for all women. Both the actions NOW takes and its position on the issues are often unorthodox, uncompromising and ahead of their time.
NOW was established as a major force in the sweeping changes that put more women in political posts; increased educational, employment and business opportunities for women; and enacted tougher laws against violence, harassment and discrimination. NOW's official priorities are winning economic equality and securing it with an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that will guarantee equal rights for women; championing abortion rights, reproductive freedom and other women's health issues; opposing racism and fighting bigotry against lesbians and gays; and ending violence against women.
CHICAGO NOW's all-volunteer staff takes on several key projects per year, in addition to our community outreach projects, political activities, and political endorsements.
National NOW Conference in Nashville! Become a voice for the future of women!
Become a delegate for Chicago NOW!
Join the Chicago NOW Delegation at the 2005 National NOW Conference
The 2005 National NOW Conference is scheduled for July 1 – 3, 2005 in Nashville, Tennessee. Confirmed speakers include Sara Paretsky, Judge Martha Craig Daughtrey, Dolores Huerta, Tillie Black Bear, and Kakenya Ntaiya. There’ll be workshops, entertainment, and opportunities to network and socialize with committed feminists from around the country. Most important, chapter delegates will be deciding NOW policy for the upcoming year and voting for a National NOW leadership team.
Chicago NOW has open delegate slots. We’re recruiting members to attend the conference and vote on National NOW policy and leadership. This is an important conference for Chicago NOW members interested in voting for National NOW candidates and the issues they represent.
Scholarships are available on a need-basis for interested participants. Conference hotels and other travel information can be obtained through Chicago NOW.
If you are a member of Chicago NOW, and have been a member since March 2005, and if you’re interested in traveling to Nashville and attending the National NOW Conference as a voting Chicago NOW chapter delegate, then please contact the Chicago NOW office at 312-578-9351 and leave a message for the CNOW National Conference Committee.
