Last week we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the publishing of Betty Friedan’s book, “The Feminine Mystique.”  The book launched the second wave of feminism and raised consciousness about women’s inequality.  At that time, 35 percent of college graduates were women, but then 60%  dropped out.  And even in 1970 a woman with a college degree earned less than a man with a high school degree.  We’ve come a long way, but we still have a long way to go.  77 cents to a man’s dollar is not acceptable.  We need flexible work hours, affordable child care, expanded family leave, and more women in public offices.  Feminism is still important

In 1970, after stepping down as NOW’s first president, Betty Friedan organized the nation-wide Women’s Strike for Equality on August 26, the 50th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution granting women the right to vote. The national strike was successful beyond expectations in broadening the feminist movement; the march led by Friedan in New York City alone attracted over 50,000 women and men. In 1971, Friedan joined other leading feminists to establish the National Women’s Political Caucus. Friedan was also a strong supporter of the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution that passed the United States House of Representatives (by a vote of 354-24) and Senate (84-8) following intense pressure by women’s groups led by NOW in the early 1970s. Following Congressional passage of the amendment Friedan advocated for ratification of the amendment in the states and supported other women’s rights reforms. Friedan founded the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws but was later critical of the abortion-centered, politicized tactics of many liberal and radical feminists.