Feature Articles

Betty Friedan, 1921-2006
by Joanne Franklin, Continuations Bibliographer

Betty Friedan, one of the leaders of the women's movement of the 1960s and 1970s, died February 4, 2006, her birthday, at her home in Washington, D.C. She was 85. Her first book, The Feminine Mystique, was published in 1963 and became the manifesto of the movement. This landmark work analyzed and questioned the state of women's lives post-WWII: the suburban housewife with babies and domestic chores and limited opportunities or rights to a life outside of the home. The Feminine Mystique is regarded as one of most influential books of the 20th century. Published by W.W. Norton, it has sold more than 3 million copies and has been translated into many languages.

In 1966, Friedan was a co-founder of the National Organization for Women (NOW) and served as its first president. Then in 1969, she helped found the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws, now known as Naral Pro-Choice America. In 1971, she founded, along with Gloria Steinem, Bella Abzug and others, the National Women's Political Caucus.

Friedan wrote other books, including the follow-up to Mystique, titled The Second Stage. Below is a list of titles by and about Betty Friedan, available from YBP and Baker & Taylor. For your convenience, this list of titles is also available in a MS Excel spreadsheet. click here

"IT CHANGED MY LIFE": WRITINGS ON THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT