Betty Friedan was a leading figure in the women's rights movement in the United States during the 20th century. She is best known for her book "[[The Feminine Mystique]]," which is often credited with sparking the second wave of American feminism in the 20th century. ### **Early Life and Education** Betty Friedan was born Bettye Naomi Goldstein on February 4, 1921, in Peoria, Illinois. She attended [[Smith College]], a private women's liberal arts college, where she graduated summa cum laude in 1942 with a major in psychology. After graduating, she spent a year at the [[University of California, Berkeley]], on a fellowship for graduate work in psychology. ### **Career and "The Feminine Mystique"** Friedan started her career in journalism, writing for left-wing and labor union publications. However, her career was cut short by her pregnancy and the prevailing social expectation that women should focus on their roles as wives and mothers. These experiences led Friedan to write "The Feminine Mystique," published in 1963. The book began as a survey she conducted for her 15th college reunion. In it, she challenged the widespread idea that women could find fulfillment only through childbearing and homemaking. The book became a bestseller and ignited a national conversation about the place of women in society. ### **National Organization for Women** In 1966, Friedan co-founded and was elected the first president of the [[National Organization for Women (NOW)]]. NOW sought to bring about equality for all women and tackled several significant issues, including bringing an end to discrimination in the workplace and the legalization of abortion. ### **Women's Strike for Equality** Friedan was one of the organizers of the nationwide Women's Strike for Equality on August 26, 1970, which marked the 50th anniversary of the 19th Amendment that granted women the right to vote. The strike advocated for equal opportunities in employment and education and other women's rights issues. ### **Later Life and Legacy** In her later life, Friedan continued to advocate for women's rights, focusing on a range of issues including age discrimination. Her other books include "The Second Stage," which critiqued some of the positions taken in the earlier women's movement, and "The Fountain of Age," which addressed the issue of aging in society. Betty Friedan passed away on February 4, 2006. Her contributions to the women's liberation movement left a lasting legacy, and she continues to be an influential figure in discussions on feminism and gender equality.