[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6242-6243]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR AND RECOGNITION OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS ACTIVIST BETTY FRIEDAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2006

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of 
Betty Friedan, devoted social activist and writer, whose bestseller 
served to greatly benefit the women's movement. Ms. Friedan was a 
beloved sister, mother, grandmother, friend and mentor to many, whose 
activism, talent, and dedication changed the lives of women and sparked 
one of America's greatest social movements.
  After graduating summa cum laude from Smith College in 1942, Ms. 
Friedan studied psychology for a year at the University of California 
at Berkeley. Frustrated with inequality in the workplace and women's 
accepted role as wife and mother, Ms. Friedan directed her passion and 
energy into her 1963 bestseller ``The Feminine Mystique.'' Her 
commanding voice and passionate words opened the minds of women and led 
to substantial positive changes to define their status.

[[Page 6243]]

  In 1966, Ms. Friedan co-founded the U.S. National Organization for 
Women, and became its first president. Her strong influence, beliefs, 
and wisdom laid the foundation for the organization that has grown 
exponentially to the size it is today. In addition to her vital work 
with NOW, she was essential in advancing women's rights to privacy, 
choice, and political participation. In 1979 she led an effort which 
resulted in women gaining half the delegate strength at the Democratic 
Party's nominating convention.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues please join me in honor and remembrance of 
Betty Friedan, whose enthusiasm, devotion, and ability to affect the 
world with her writing, has served to improve the status and lives of 
women everywhere. I extend my deepest condolences to her family members 
and many friends. Betty Friedan's unwavering commitment to change and 
equality has served to make a difference within the lives of countless 
individuals, and on history itself. Betty Friedan's legacy of service 
and revolution will be honored and remembered for all time.

                          ____________________