Who was Betty Friedan?
Betty Friedan was an American writer and a leader in the movement for women's rights. She lived in the 20th century and helped many people think about what women could do beyond traditional roles at home.
What did she do?
- Wrote a famous book: The Feminine Mystique (1963). It asked about why some women felt unsatisfied with just being a wife and mom and encouraged many to pursue education and work outside the home.
- Started a group: She helped start the National Organization for Women (NOW) to push for equal rights between men and women.
- Spoke up for equality: She argued that women should have choices about their lives, not be stuck in one traditional role.
Why is she important?
Her ideas inspired a lot of changes in laws and in how people think about gender roles. She helped many girls and women ask for education and jobs, not just housework.
Fun fact for kids
Betty Friedan believed that girls can follow any dream they have, whether that dream is to be a scientist, a teacher, an athlete, or anything else they love.