Question

Discuss the role of the National Organization for Women (NOW) for necessary ratification of the Equal Rights Act of 1964 by some of the Southern states.

Answer 1

1. The National Organisation for Women (NOW) played a key role in promoting gender equality and ensuring the enforcement and broader acceptance of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, especially in Southern states where resistance to such reforms was strong.

2. NOW focused particularly on Title VII of the Act, which prohibited employment discrimination based on sex as well as race, religion, and national origin; this included several key roles:

1. Public Advocacy: NOW raised national awareness about ongoing gender discrimination, especially in the workplace, and emphasised the importance of enforcing Title VII in all states.
2. Legal Action and Pressure: The organisation pushed for strong implementation of the law and challenged discriminatory practices through lawsuits and public campaigns, especially in Southern states that were reluctant to comply.
3. Lobbying for Support: NOW worked to influence public officials, urging them to ratify and uphold the principles of the Civil Rights Amendment (ERA).
4. Coalition Building: They collaborated with civil rights and labour groups to strengthen the movement for gender and racial equality across the country.

3. Although NOW primarily focused on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), its broader campaign also helped reinforce support for civil rights laws, especially in regions resistant to change.