[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 21 (Friday, February 17, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF BETTY FRIEDAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 16, 2006

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
the resolution introduced by Congresswoman Solis to honor the late 
Betty Friedan, an influential and inspirational feminist pioneer, 
author, and leader who passed away on February 4. Throughout her life, 
Ms. Friedan fought for gender equality and social justice.
  Ms. Friedan was born on February 4, 1921, in Peoria, IL. She 
graduated summa cum laude from Smith College in 1942 and did graduate 
work in psychology at the University of California at Berkeley. Ms. 
Friedan is best known for her 1963 book The Feminine Mystique, a 
groundbreaking work, which exposed for the first time the contradiction 
between expectations for women and the reality they were living. This 
best-seller challenged the prevalent assumption that women's interests 
were limited to housework and child rearing and called for greater 
opportunities for women in the workplace. The Feminine Mystique is 
viewed as one of the primary triggers of the second wave of feminism.
  Betty Friedan played a significant role in the women's movement of 
the late 1960s and 1970s. In 1966, she co-founded the National 
Organization for Women, NOW, which remains one of our country's largest 
feminist organizations, and served as NOW's first president from 1966 
to 1970. Ms. Friedan tirelessly advocated for equal treatment for 
women. She was a powerful voice for a multitude of reforms ranging from 
laws against sex discrimination to equal pay for equal work. Under her 
leadership, in 1968, NOW became the first organization to announce 
support for legalization of a woman's right to choose.
  Women and men have benefited from the bravery and leadership of Betty 
Friedan. The Feminine Mystique continues to be read in college 
classrooms around the country, inspiring young people to continue Ms. 
Friedan's pursuit of equality.
  It is with great sadness that I send my deepest condolences to the 
Friedan family. Ms. Friedan's lasting contributions to women's rights 
and social justice will always be remembered. Let us honor Ms. 
Friedan's memory by committing ourselves to promoting equality for all 
Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to the life of Ms. 
Betty Friedan.

                          ____________________