The publication of Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique reawakens the feminist movement in the United States as women's organizations and consciousness raising groups spread.

Betty Friedan (February 4, 1921 – February 4, 2006) stands as an indelible figure in American history, widely recognized as a pioneering feminist writer and influential activist. Her profound contributions helped ignite and shape the women's movement in the United States, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to resonate today. Friedan's seminal 1963 work, The Feminine Mystique, is frequently credited with sparking the second wave of American feminism in the 20th century, fundamentally altering societal perceptions of women's roles and aspirations.

The Genesis of a Movement: Betty Friedan's Early Impact

At the heart of Betty Friedan's transformative influence was her groundbreaking book, The Feminine Mystique. Published by W. W. Norton on February 19, 1963, this powerful analysis quickly became a national bestseller, selling over a million copies and challenging the deeply ingrained assumption that fulfillment for American women after 1949 could only be found in the roles of housewife and mother. Friedan incisively critiqued this societal construct, which she famously termed the "feminine mystique." This phrase encapsulated the pervasive belief that women's deepest desires should center on domesticity—housework, marriage, sexual life, and children—and that genuinely feminine women should not harbor ambitions for careers, higher education, or political engagement. She sought to expose the widespread, yet often unspoken, dissatisfaction among women confined to these narrow expectations.

The catalyst for The Feminine Mystique originated in 1957, when Friedan conducted a survey for her Smith College classmates' 15th anniversary reunion. The surprising results revealed that many of these educated women, living seemingly idyllic suburban lives as housewives, were profoundly unhappy. This discovery compelled Friedan to delve deeper, embarking on extensive research that included interviews with other suburban housewives and in-depth studies of psychology, media, and advertising. Although she initially envisioned her findings as a magazine article, no publication would accept the challenging piece, ultimately leading to the expanded and epoch-making book.

Pioneering Activism: Founding NOW and Shaping the Discourse

Beyond her influential writing, Betty Friedan was a formidable organizer and advocate. In 1966, recognizing the need for concerted action, she co-founded the National Organization for Women (NOW), serving as its first elected president. NOW's mission was clear and ambitious: to propel women "into the mainstream of American society now [in] fully equal partnership with men," marking a pivotal moment in the fight for gender equality.

Four years later, in 1970, after her tenure as NOW's first president, Friedan orchestrated the historic nationwide Women's Strike for Equality on August 26th. This significant date was chosen to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which had granted women the right to vote. The strike proved to be a resounding success, far exceeding expectations in broadening the reach and impact of the burgeoning feminist movement. The march led by Friedan in New York City alone drew an astounding crowd of over 50,000 people, demonstrating the collective power and burgeoning demands of women across the nation.

Her commitment to collective action continued into 1971, when Friedan joined other prominent feminists to establish the National Women's Political Caucus, further solidifying the organized efforts for women's rights. Friedan was also a passionate proponent of the proposed Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the United States Constitution. Following intense pressure from women's groups, prominently led by NOW in the early 1970s, the ERA successfully passed both the United States House of Representatives (by an overwhelming vote of 354–24) and the Senate (84–8). Subsequently, Friedan vigorously advocated for the amendment's ratification in individual states. While a staunch supporter of women's rights reforms—including founding the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws—she later offered nuanced critiques, expressing concern over what she perceived as an excessive, abortion-centered focus among some liberal feminists.

A Enduring Voice: Friedan's Later Critiques and Continued Influence

Betty Friedan remained a prominent and active voice in politics and advocacy throughout the 1990s, cementing her status as an influential author and intellectual in the United States. Over her lifetime, she authored six books, continually engaging with and shaping the discourse around feminism. As early as the 1960s, Friedan was known for her willingness to critically examine the movement itself, expressing concerns about polarized and extreme factions of feminism that sometimes attacked groups like men or homemakers. Her later work, such as The Second Stage (1981), continued this self-reflection, offering a critique of what Friedan saw as the "extremist excesses" emerging within certain segments of the feminist movement. Her ability to challenge prevailing norms, both in society and within the movement she helped create, underscores her complex and enduring legacy as a champion for women's full equality.

Frequently Asked Questions About Betty Friedan

Who was Betty Friedan?
Betty Friedan was an American feminist writer and activist, born on February 4, 1921, and passing away on February 4, 2006. She is widely recognized as a leading figure in the second wave of the women's movement in the United States, best known for her groundbreaking book, The Feminine Mystique, and for co-founding the National Organization for Women (NOW).
What is The Feminine Mystique?
The Feminine Mystique is a seminal 1963 book by Betty Friedan that challenged the post-World War II societal expectation that American women's sole fulfillment came from being housewives and mothers. It explored the widespread, unspoken dissatisfaction among women in these roles and is credited with sparking second-wave feminism. The book became a bestseller, selling over a million copies.
What was the "feminine mystique" concept?
The "feminine mystique" was a term coined by Betty Friedan to describe the societal assumptions and pressures that dictated women would find complete fulfillment solely through their domestic lives—marriage, housework, sexual relations, and children. It promoted the belief that truly feminine women should not desire careers, higher education, or political opinions, contributing to a sense of unvoiced discontent among many women.
What was Betty Friedan's role in the National Organization for Women (NOW)?
Betty Friedan co-founded NOW in 1966 and was elected its first president. Under her leadership, NOW aimed to integrate women "into the mainstream of American society now [in] fully equal partnership with men," establishing itself as a powerful advocate for women's rights.
What was the Women's Strike for Equality?
Organized by Betty Friedan in 1970, the Women's Strike for Equality took place on August 26th, the 50th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. This nationwide protest successfully broadened the feminist movement, with a march in New York City alone attracting over 50,000 participants, highlighting demands for equal opportunities and rights.
What other major causes did Betty Friedan champion?
Friedan was a strong supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), advocating tirelessly for its congressional passage and state ratification. She also helped establish the National Women's Political Caucus and founded the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws, though she later critiqued what she saw as an overemphasis on abortion among some liberal feminists.
Why is Betty Friedan considered so influential?
Betty Friedan's influence stems from her ability to articulate the unacknowledged frustrations of countless women through The Feminine Mystique, which served as a catalyst for second-wave feminism. Her leadership in founding NOW and organizing key protests like the Women's Strike for Equality translated intellectual discourse into powerful political action, fundamentally altering the trajectory of women's rights in the 20th century.