In her quest to unravel the story of the National Organization for Women (NOW), Carolina associate professor Katherine Turk discovered a notable gap in historical accounts. Her journey culminated in the creation of "The Women of NOW: How Feminists Built an Organization that Transformed America," a work that earned accolades from The New Yorker as one of the best books of 2023.

"The Women of NOW" offers a comprehensive narrative of NOW's genesis in 1966, when a diverse coalition of activists established the organization with the goal of spearheading a civil rights movement for women. At its core was a radical notion: the belief that a single entity could represent and advocate for the interests of all women, along with their male allies.

NOW's goal is to use grassroots efforts that include everyone to push for feminist beliefs, change society, get rid of unfair treatment, and make sure all women and girls have the same rights in all parts of life.

As a faculty member in the College of Arts and Sciences' history department, Turk delved into the motivations and impact of NOW. Speaking to the UNC "Bookmark This" Q&A series, she shared insights into her book, shedding light on its significance within her research interests and the broader feminist movement.

The Evolution of NOW

Turk's book charts the journey of NOW spanning the last five decades, showcasing its rise as the preeminent feminist organization in America. Through an analysis of NOW's growth amidst broader societal and political shifts, Turk illustrates how mainstream feminism played a pivotal role in reshaping American society, frequently encountering opposition from conservative quarters.

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Turk's interest in women's history dates back two decades when she first encountered the field during her college studies. Since then, she has been driven by a conviction that women's perspectives and experiences are integral to understanding the American narrative in its entirety. Despite the existence of women's history as an academic discipline for 50 years, Turk believed there is still much ground to cover. She emphasized the importance of centering women in historical narratives, challenging the prevailing tendency to marginalize or overlook their contributions.

The genesis of "The Women of NOW" stemmed from Turk's ongoing quest for a comprehensive history of the organization. While previous scholarship had examined various aspects of NOW piecemeal, Turk yearned for a more cohesive account that captured the essence of the organization. Drawing from NOW's extensive archival records scattered across the country, Turk embarked on a journey to piece together its story firsthand.

Key Figures in NOW's Legacy

Throughout her research and writing process, Turk was struck by the diverse array of individuals who gravitated toward NOW and sustained its mission over the decades. Beyond the organization's founding figures, Turk uncovered the stories of lesser-known members who played pivotal roles in shaping its trajectory. In "The Women of NOW," she highlights the contributions of figures such as Aileen Hernandez, Mary Jean Collins, and Patricia Hill Burnett.

Hernandez is a seasoned Black union organizer and served as one of the first five commissioners of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. With its establishment in 1965, the primary mission of the EEOC was to combat racial discrimination in workplaces. However, it failed to address a significant portion of the complaints received from women. On June 30, 1966, 28 women, led by Betty Friedan, established an organization with the mission to ensure women's full inclusion in American society and equal partnership with men, marking the birth of NOW.

Collins, a young working-class political activist, became president of the Chicago chapter in 1968. Patricia Hill Burnett is a wealthy Detroit housewife and former Miss Michigan. These women exemplify the diverse membership of NOW, which aims to represent all women, albeit with occasional setbacks.

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