Organization Purpose

NOW's purpose 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. This purpose includes, but is not limited to, equal rights and responsibilities in all aspects of citizenship, public service, employment, education, and family life, and it includes freedom from discrimination because of race, ethnic origin, age, marital status, sexual preference/orientation, or parenthood.

But this is the new millennium! Why are we still fighting for equality? Aren't we equal? Consider this:

  • You're a sales manager for a TV chain's local affiliate. You know you're making $10,000 a year less than a man with the same job in a similar-sized market.


  • You're trying to juggle the demands of raising your toddlers and the constant stress of your critical care nursing job. Your husband doesn't do diddly at home.


  • You're a college student who was raped on a date with a guy you thought you could trust. You don't socialize anymore and your grades are slipping.


  • You leave your marriage after 11 years of physical and emotional abuse. You work double shifts to support your kids, but then a heart attack with no health insurance forces you onto welfare.


  • You're a lesbian who feels isolated. But you're afraid that if you come out, you'll lose custody of your kids.


  • You finally launched a new ad agency owned and staffed by African-American women. Business is booming, but when you go to the bank for a loan, they look at you like you're from Mars.

Do men have to face these problems everyday? Let's face it, we've come a long way, but we're not there yet.

What does NOW do?

NOW strives to eliminate discrimination and harassment in the work-place, schools, the justice system, and all other sectors of society; secure abortion, birth control and reproductive rights for all women; end all forms of violence against women; eradicate racism, sexism, and homophobia; promote equality and justice in our society.

NOW achieves its goals through direct mass actions (including marches, rallies, pickets counter-demonstrations,non-violent civil disobedience) intensive lobbying , grassroots political organizing and litigation (including class action law suits.)


NOW's official priorities are:
  • pressing for an amendment to guarantee equal rights for women;


  • achieving economic equality for women;


  • championing abortion rights, reproductive freedom and other women's health issues;


  • supporting civil rights for all and opposing racism;


  • opposing bigotry against lesbians and gays;


  • ending violence against women.


NOW's Current Major Actions:
  • Preparing for elections: 2002 and beyond


  • Feminism is global


  • Controlling our own image and message


  • Working to end violence against women and other hate crimes


  • Championing reproductive freedom


  • Demanding women-friendly workplaces and campuses


  • Promoting women's health and positive self-image


  • Advocating lesbian rights as women's rights


  • Eliminating racism and promoting diversity


  • Welcoming and cultivating the Third Wave


  • Standing up for affirmative action


  • Fighting for economic justice


  • Pressing for Constitutional equality


To Learn More about these Actions, or any other issues, please visit www.now.org or feel free to email us with any questions or comments!

 
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