Friedan, Who Ignited Cause in 'Feminine Mystique,' Dies at 85

[niyad]

(I had the privilege on a number of occasions to speak with her and to listen to her debate phyllis and others. she was absolutely remarkable)


Friedan, Who Ignited Cause in 'Feminine Mystique,' Dies at 85


Betty Friedan, the feminist crusader and author whose searing first book, "The Feminine Mystique," ignited the contemporary women's movement in 1963 and as a result permanently transformed the social fabric of the United States and countries around the world, died yesterday, her 85th birthday, at her home in Washington.



As a founder and first president of the National Organization for Women in 1966, Ms. Friedan staked out positions that seemed extreme at the time.

. . . . . . .

With its impassioned yet clear-eyed analysis of the issues that affected women's lives in the decades after World War II — including enforced domesticity, limited career prospects and, as chronicled in later editions, the campaign for legalized abortion — "The Feminine Mystique" is widely regarded as one of the most influential nonfiction books of the 20th century. Published by W. W. Norton & Company, the book had sold more than three million copies by the year 2000 and has been translated into many languages.

"The Feminine Mystique" made Ms. Friedan world famous. It also made her one of the chief architects of the women's liberation movement of the late 1960's and afterward, a sweeping social upheaval that harked back to the suffrage campaigns of the turn of the century and would be called feminism's second wave.


. . . . . . . . . .

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/05/national/05friedan.html?_r=1&hp&ex=1139115600&en=8deff1818d300bbb&ei=5094&partner=homepage&oref=

[CottonBear]

1. Thank you and Godspeed Betty Friedan.

She was a great American.

[omega minimo]

2. The courage of her convictions

transformed the world




not

that

long

ago

[Missy M]

3. She was an inspiration to me and she helped shape my life.

[Totally Committed]

4. RIP, Betty....

another icon gone. She was a huge spirit, the space she has left might be impossible to fill.

TC