The National Organization for Women is the largest organization of feminists in the United States. NOW has 500,000 members and chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. NOW was established on June 30,1966 in Washington D.C. by women attending the Third National Conference of the Commission on the Status of Women.Set up in 1961, the Commission reported in 1963 that despite having won the right to vote,women in the United States still were discriminated against in virtually every aspect of life. Among NOW’s 28 founders was its first president,Betty Friedan,author of The Feminine Mystique.

Since its founding, NOW’s goal has been "to take action" to bring about equality for women. NOW members are accomplishing this goal through the legislature and the courts and by influencing public opinion. NOW activists do extensive electoral and lobbying work and bring lawsuits. They also organize mass marches, rallies, pickets, non-violent civil disobedience and immediate, response "zap" actions.