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In Honor of Betty Friedan

Date: Feb. 16, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Women


IN HONOR OF BETTY FRIEDAN -- (Extensions of Remarks - February 17, 2006)
SPEECH OF HON. BETTY McCOLLUM OF MINNESOTA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2006

* Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution introduced by Congresswoman SOLIS to honor the late Betty Friedan, an influential and inspirational feminist pioneer, author, and leader who passed away on February 4. Throughout her life, Ms. Friedan fought for gender equality and social justice.

* Ms. Friedan was born on February 4, 1921, in Peoria, IL. She graduated summa cum laude from Smith College in 1942 and did graduate work in psychology at the University of California at Berkeley. Ms. Friedan is best known for her 1963 book The Feminine Mystique, a groundbreaking work, which exposed for the first time the contradiction between expectations for women and the reality they were living. This best-seller challenged the prevalent assumption that women's interests were limited to housework and child rearing and called for greater opportunities for women in the workplace. The Feminine Mystique is viewed as one of the primary triggers of the second wave of feminism.

* Betty Friedan played a significant role in the women's movement of the late 1960s and 1970s. In 1966, she co-founded the National Organization for Women, NOW, which remains one of our country's largest feminist organizations, and served as NOW's first president from 1966 to 1970. Ms. Friedan tirelessly advocated for equal treatment for women. She was a powerful voice for a multitude of reforms ranging from laws against sex discrimination to equal pay for equal work. Under her leadership, in 1968, NOW became the first organization to announce support for legalization of a woman's right to choose.

* Women and men have benefited from the bravery and leadership of Betty Friedan. The Feminine Mystique continues to be read in college classrooms around the country, inspiring young people to continue Ms. Friedan's pursuit of equality.

* It is with great sadness that I send my deepest condolences to the Friedan family. Ms. Friedan's lasting contributions to women's rights and social justice will always be remembered. Let us honor Ms. Friedan's memory by committing ourselves to promoting equality for all Americans.

* Mr. Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to the life of Ms. Betty Friedan.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?r109:1:./temp/~r109SiuJXh::

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