The National Organization of Women was created in 1966 to provide women with more equality in American society. Just over fifty years later, a local western KY chapter of NOW has been formed with similar, but expanded, goals. Catie Bates Robertson and Debi Danielson visit Sounds Good to discuss the new chapter, its mission, and ways for the community to get involved.
In 1966, the National Organization for Women held their first conference in Washington, D.C. "to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now, exercising all the responsibilities and privileges thereof in truly equal partnership to men." Today, their statement has been slightly expanded to match the societal changes of the last forty years. NOW's purpose in modern American society is "to take action through intersectional grassroots activism to promote feminist ideals, lead societal change, eliminate discrimination, and achieve and protect the equal rights of all women and girls in all aspects of social, political, and economic life.
Kentucky's state NOW chapter was founded in Lexington in 1987, but it wasn't until the past year that a western KY chapter was created. Today, West Kentucky NOW is a diverse group of women and men who fight for a variety of issues affecting a variety of societal groups, including communities of color, immigrants, refugees, Muslims, LGBTQIA people, and those with disabilities.
Catie Bates Robertson and Debi Danielson, members of the new western KY NOW chapter, visited Sounds Good to discuss the new chapter and ways the community can get involved, including a free presentation of historical women's profiles at the Calloway County Public Library on Monday, March 12th, at 6:30 pm.
For more information, visit their Facebook page or e-mail the chapter at westkynow@gmail.com.
