[News-releases] NOW Celebrates 40 Years!

	For Immediate Release Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; cell 202-641-1906
The National Organization for Women Celebrates 40 Years! June 29, 2006 On Friday, June 30, 2006, the National Organization for Women begins a year long celebration of 40 years on the front lines of the fight for equality. As the second oldest civil rights organization in the United States, we continue to be the leading organization advocating for women's rights and equal opportunities. The National Organization for Women was founded in 1966 at the Third Annual Conference of Commissions on the Status of Women in Washington, D.C. Twenty-eight women contributed $5 each to help fund the new organization -- which was intended to be "an NAACP for women." One of the women was the late Betty Friedan, author and founder of NOW. On a paper napkin, Friedan wrote the famous acronym "NOW." The rest, as they say, is history. Fast forward forty years and NOW is still going strong, with over 500,000 members across the U.S, and chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. NOW has been at the forefront of every major advance for women's equality for four decades -- both making progress and enduring setbacks -- and it has been an incredible journey. NOW will be celebrating our 40th anniversary throughout the year, beginning with the National Conference and Young Feminist Summit in Albany, NY on July 21-23, and the gala Intrepid Awards Gala event on September 14th. To commemorate our anniversary, we are offering interview availabilities Friday, June 30th. Interview Availability Tomorrow: Kim Gandy, Current President of NOW -- Kim has been an active member since 1973, including 14 years in Louisiana. Kim can talk about the history of NOW, and where the organization is heading. Kim can also talk about women's influence on politics. Muriel Fox, Founding Member of NOW -- Muriel is a retired public relations professional who continues to make speeches and write from her home in New York. Muriel can talk about how NOW was founded, and what she thinks about feminism today. Sonia Fuentes, Founding Member of NOW -- Sonia is a public speaker and author, and a former EEOC attorney. Like Muriel Fox, Sonia can talk about NOW's early years, and how NOW has influenced feminist writers. ###

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