National Organization for Women Inc

As attacks on the progress women have made escalate, NOW continues to work to improve the lives of women and our families at the national level and in communities across the country. NOW is working in Congress for reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. When Rush Limbaugh attacked a young woman who spoke up in favor of contraception, NOW activists began a campaign to say "Enough Rush" to advertisers and stations that carry his show. Because NOW understands the connections, NOW also works to end all types of discrimination & prejudice. NOW has been actively advocating equal marriage, and NOW activists are working for justice for Trayvon Martin.

I have worked with NOW for 4 years assisting as a volunteer Legislative Coordinator. NOW did a pay equity rally with a following legislation for equal pay for State workers. Indiana NOW sponsored a Women andGirls Sport Day in Indiana. The legislative Women's Caucus passed a resolution on the Statehouse floor proclaiming that day, with the support of women athletes. A moving letter was read by former Senator Birch Bayh, a champion of Title IX legislation. NOW is working on getting it's website up. It has been a challenge with no paid staff. We do have a NOW Facebook page. I love our active chapter, but my favorite part of NOW is the idea someone can become a member with our sliding scale fee. Other organizations I belong to do not offer the reduced rate.

NOW continues to be the ONLY multi-issue, feminist, activist organization. The role of NOW in "connected the dots" among poverty, violence, war, reproductive choice, equal pay etc is why it continues to be relevant and absolutely necessary.

NOW has been the most influential organization of my life. Beginning in college, I found this organization to be the #1 feminist inspiration in my life and helped me to discover myself in ways I was unable to before. What I love most about this organization is its wide coverage of issues and how it doesn't restrict itself to just one feminist issue - especially since feminism is not a single-issue philosophy. It is intersectional and touches on every aspect of life; something I would definitely expect a true feminist organization to address. It has been a great support in my life and can't imagine ever not being a part of it in one way or another. I love this organization in what it does for its members as well as for society at large.

I became involved in NOW during the Reagan years in part because I was incensed about the Reagan Administration’s lack of action regarding the AIDS epidemic. But I also joined because I hoped that I could be involved in gay/lesbian causes without really being out. The more involved I became, the more I realized that being out was so very important. Gradually, by going to meetings and Pride Festivals and conventions, NOW helped me understand what it meant to be an out and proud lesbian. Through NOW, I have met the most incredible women, many of whom have become lifelong friends. I’ve also had some amazing experiences from almost getting arrested for civil disobedience to walking the halls of the Capitol. I plan to be an active member of this organization for as long as possible. When the day finally comes when I can no longer participate in rallies and protests, I’ll still try to support NOW by donating my money. I hope to be able to watch new generations of women as they lead the protests and rallies of the future.

I joined NOW in 1989 after the Webster decision giving the states the right to restrict the right to abortion. The organization has helped me grow as a woman of conscience and to better express my views. So many women in NOW become more confident, informed and active in speaking out for women and family rights. We are an organization that supports each person as a human being who is of value. We stand firm in the right of each woman to be in control of her reproductive choices. It is a grassroots organization that helps women and men find a voice about these issues.