Biographical Note
The Houston chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) was founded in 1970 and quickly increased its membership to over 300 individuals concerned with women’s rights and status. Betty Barnes was a member, and was particularly active in the Houston chapter’s campaign to eradicate sexist and discriminatory depictions of women in the media, particularly on television programming and advertising.
Historical Note
The National Organization of Women (NOW) was founded in 1966 with equality for women as the primary goal. Today NOW has over five hundred chapters in the United States and is the largest feminist organization in the country. The organization’s website states that “Since its founding in 1966, NOW’s goal has been to take action to bring about equality for all women. NOW works to eliminate discrimination and harassment in the workplace, schools, the justice system, and all other sectors of society; secure abortion, birth control and reproductive rights for all women; end all forms of violence against women; eradicate racism, sexism and homophobia; and promote equality and justice in our society.” For more information on NOW, please consult the organization’s website: www.now.org.
From the guide to the Betty Barnes NOW Collection 2002-003., 1967-1986, (Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries)
