NOW Celebrates 40 Fearless Years at National Conference
Young Feminist Summit Welcomes New Activists to the Table

By Campbell Roth, Publications Coordinator, and Jessica Hopper, Communications Intern

August 1, 2006

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NOW Celebrates Our 40th Anniversary Left to right: Former President Karen DeCrow, President Kim Gandy, Founder Muriel Fox, Founder Elizabeth Farians, Founder Inez Cassiano, and Founder and Former President Aileen Hernandez

Celebrating 40 years of fearless feminism at our annual conference, NOW proved that women are not simply aging gracefully—we are growing stronger every year.

NOW members, activists and special guests gathered July 21-23 at the National Conference and Young Feminist Summit in Albany, N.Y., to draw inspiration from NOW's early victories and to look to the future in an election year that promises to have life-changing effects on women everywhere.

NOW President Kim Gandy galvanized the crowd of more than 700 at Saturday's general session, reminding everyone that NOW takes action for all women—no matter the political circumstances, no matter the issue.

"We have never backed down from a fight, or backed away from our principles. And we have sometimes been called shrill and unladylike for our trouble. We call it being committed, uncompromising and determined to fight, wherever and whenever justice is at issue. And we're damn proud of it," she said to cheers from the crowd. "Today, as always, NOW works for all women's equality."

The conference was an event fit for a birthday celebration, complete with celebrities, balloons and, of course, cake.

We were inspired by the Pittsburgh high schoolers from the Girls as Grantmakers program of the Women & Girls Foundation of Southwest Pennsylvania, who had grabbed headlines and kudos last fall with their "girlcott" of insulting t-shirts made by clothier Abercrombie & Fitch (like "Who Needs Brains When You've Got These"), and honored them with Women of Action awards at the Young Feminist Summit on Friday. The group was lauded throughout the weekend as a symbol of the strength of feminism among the youngest of activists.

Legendary feminist singer and songwriter Ani DiFranco was named a NOW Woman of Courage for her uncompromising determination to give voice to women's concerns. Upon accepting her award, DiFranco recited a moving poem from her upcoming album, "Reprieve," and surprised the crowd with the news that she is expecting a baby!

Brian Collins, head of the Brand Integration Group (BIG) at worldwide advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather, creators of Dove's refreshing "Real Beauty" exhibit, was joined by Laurie Cohen of BIG to accept NOW's Image of Women award for inspiring a campaign that challenged stereotypes and retooled the usual ad agency concept of female beauty.

In the same session, Taina Bien-Aimé, executive director of Equality Now, gave a stirring keynote speech on sexual trafficking—reminding everyone that, for women in the U.S. and all over the world, slavery is still a tragic reality.

Workshops at the Young Feminist Summit invited scintillating discussion about a broad range of issues, including: teen dating violence, global organizing, state and campus activism, political blogging, sexually transmitted infections, what's on your iPod, and feminism and fashion.

Dr. Susan Wood, who resigned from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in protest over its refusal to make emergency contraception (EC) available over the counter, was honored with a Woman of Courage award on Saturday morning. Her cogent examination of the science behind emergency contraception—science that has long been ignored by the Bush administration and the radical right in their assault on women's reproductive options—invigorated the crowd and inspired even greater dedication to win the fight on EC, and of course we did win a major battle in that campaign only a short time later.

Longtime NOW member and celebrated actor Tyne Daly also spoke on Saturday morning, and infused hilarity into a raft of political situations, particularly about becoming an accidental role model. She also emceed the afternoon's Tribute plenary, where seven NOW founders and past presidents were honored. Founders Muriel Fox, Alice Rossi, Elizabeth Farians and Inez Casiano told stories of NOW's early battles, and past presidents Aileen Hernandez (also a founder), Karen DeCrow, Eleanor Smeal and Patricia Ireland gave rousing speeches about their tenure at NOW—and the promising future of the movement.

"We are stronger than ever when we march alongside our friends and allies," Casiano reminded the crowd. "Our movement has power also when we align with other groups, when we draw in people who have the same interests," she said. "You are part of a movement that is dynamic and continuing."

"We made history. We changed the whole world for women, for children, for men," said DeCrow, who served as NOW president from 1974 to 1977. "Every time you see an 8-year-old girl on the soccer field, you can thank NOW."

A surprise award was given to Gandy by the three NOW vice presidents, Olga Vives, Melody Drnach and Latifa Lyles, and everyone enjoyed the fact that they had managed to keep the secret. Gandy was genuinely shocked and touched to be honored alongside her predecessors.

After the founders and presidents blew out the candles, conference attendees capped the celebration with a feast of cake before getting back to the business of the weekend.

Several workshops on Friday and Saturday included insights from the founders and some veteran members on NOW's changing history, including a discussion on how few women were involved in politics 40 years ago. Founder Alice Rossi told a memorable story about participating in an action in NOW's early days with her husband. He later received bereavement cards from friends, who bemoaned his "uppity" wife, she said.

Feminists young and old listened in admiration—and left buzzing with excitement—after hearing Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) speak at Saturday's Political Institute, aptly titled "Making Nancy Pelosi the Next Speaker of the House," about taking Congress back for women in November.

Sunday was filled with votes and debate on resolutions and hot issues, including: access to birth control at pharmacies, fair immigration reform, global feminism, national health insurance and the full scope of reproductive justice for all women.

In the NOW tradition of taking action, officers, members and activists put the resolution process on pause while they gathered outside the Albany Crowne Plaza for a noon march to the Capitol building in support of equal marriage rights.

New York's highest court, the Court of Appeals, had issued a disappointing ruling earlier in July that prohibits marriage for same-sex couples. The ruling will require equal marriage activists to take their case to the legislature, said NOW-NYS President Marcia Pappas, and Sunday's action was a start on the grassroots activism that will be needed to convince the legislators.

"I will be walking these halls every day this fall," Pappas said, pointing to the Capitol. "And in November, we will take back our legislature!"

On the steps of the Capitol, singer/songwriter Sandy Rapp energized the crowd with her music, as she had earlier in the weekend, including the tribute song "Everyone Was at Stonewall."

On the march back to the hotel to complete the resolutions and bid Albany farewell, activists continued their chants—"1,2,3,4 Love is what we're fighting for! 5,6,7,8 Stop the lies; stop the hate!"—to cheers and applause from passersby.

It was a fitting end to NOW's 40th Birthday Celebration, where NOW reminded the world that we aren't done marching yet.