Overview

A rare first-person account of the women's movement A comprehensive, indexed memoir about the Second Wave women’s movement by the cofounder of the National Organization for Women (NOW). Muriel Fox offers rare, firsthand stories of 29 women and one man, including Betty Freidan, but also many who have not previously been recognized for their contributions. As NOW's public relations director, Fox orchestrated nationwide outreach. She was NOW's vice president, then chair of the board, then chaired the National Advisory Committee. As Betty Friedan's main lieutenant and director of operations, Fox drafted numerous letters sent by NOW under Friedan's signature to government officials demanding faster action to reduce sex discrimination, including a letter that helped persuade President Lyndon Johnson to add gender to Affirmative Action and open opportunities for millions of women. Unlike books relying on secondary sources, Fox's memoir is built mainly from her own Feminism Files containing hundreds of letters, clippings, notes, and photographs that she archived.

Full Product Details

9781613322444

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""Finally, a much-needed book documenting the untold stories of NOW and feminists who relentlessly fought to transform lives, disrupt oppression by changing laws, and advocate for equality and justice from the streets to the courtrooms. The world will get to read an authentic story of the unwavering fight for feminism... thrills and stumbles in all.""--Christian F. Nunes, President, National Organization for Women"

"""Revealing, inspiring commentary on the struggles and successes of civil rights pioneers."" * Kirkus Reviews * ""Besides Fox’s personal files and memories, interviews with colleagues produces rare insight on a profound transformation of the last century ... The Women’s Revolution is a revealing memoir about the feminist movement’s vast accomplishments, spurring continued action in the fight for equality for all."" * Foreword Reviews * ""Finally, a much-needed book documenting the untold stories of NOW and feminists who relentlessly fought to transform lives, disrupt oppression by changing laws, and advocate for equality and justice from the streets to the courtrooms. The world will get to read an authentic story of the unwavering fight for feminism... thrills and stumbles in all."" -- Christian F. Nunes, President, National Organization for Women ""Muriel Fox has written an exciting history of the early women's movement. More importantly, she herself helped to make this history (or herstory) of that movement, as the top women's communications expert in the country and partner to Betty Friedan's leadership of NOW. She and this history are inspiring. When we organize, we have changed the world! This is the most complete book about who did it, what we did, and how we did it."" -- Heather Booth, Founder of JANE, underground abortion service before Roe ""This amazing and essential work should be required reading for young people. No other book covers feminist action in such an exciting first-person mode. It’s clear, well researched, and well documented, providing a personal introduction to the people who made it happen and the adventures (and misadventures) that led to our current moment in history. Fox concludes with a stirring call to continue the revolution she was instrumental in creating. Students, the curious, the resistant, and all would-be activists should learn what happened, who did it, and how we can participate in fulfilling its goals."" -- Marjorie C. Miller, Professor of Philosophy and Women’s Studies Emeritus, State University of New York ""I couldn't put it down. The Women's Revolution sets the record straight on the Second Wave of feminism. It's all there - the debates, the triumphs and failures, the many larger-than-life personalities. This is history from the inside, by one who was there."" -- Katha Pollitt, author of Pro: Reclaiming Abortion Rights ""Finally, Muriel Fox has described the amazing story of the dedicated, passionate women and men and the complicated work it took to change the world. Finally, the story is told about difficult, complex, brilliant, inspiring Betty Friedan and her place at the head of it all. In the telling, Muriel Fox gives us hope that activism is just people and it can work and will work again."" -- Emily Friedan, MD, daughter of Betty Friedan ""I've been a feminist activist for more than 50 years, and Muriel Fox has shown me how much of the movement I missed. Her book raises the curtain on the stories behind the headlines, the unsung heroes of women's fight for gender justice, the strategies that undergirded NOW's awesome legislative victories, and the toxic power struggles that sometimes eroded our solidarity and slowed our progress. The Women's Revolution: How We Changed Your Life is not just an illuminating ‘herstory' but a visionary agenda for today's activists and future waves of feminism to keep changing our lives for the better."" -- Letty Cottin Pogrebin, cofounding editor of Ms. magazine, author of 12 books, including Deborah, Golda, and Me: Being Female and Jewish in America ""The visionary feminist leaders that Muriel Fox (herself one of them) so carefully chronicles in The Women’s Revolution set out to change the world and they did. This is an essential volume recounting the pivotal Second Wave of U.S. feminist history that enshrined women’s rights as a matter of law. As the political winds of our times seek to push us backwards and undo these hard won victories, this book reminds us of the fierce feminist legacies on which we stand and gives us renewed purpose for the fight. I have learned so much reading this book. It will make me a far better teacher of feminist history."" ""“Muriel Fox was there at the beginning of the modern wave of feminism, and her book, The Women’s Revolution, reveals how a small group of women started a contagion that continues. Anyone striving for a more equal future will be inspired by her experience.”"""

"""Muriel Fox has written an exciting history of the early women's movement. More importantly, she herself helped to make this history (or herstory) of that movement, as the top women's communications expert in the country and partner to Betty Friedan's leadership of NOW. She and this history are inspiring. When we organize, we have changed the world! This is the most complete book about who did it, what we did, and how we did it.""-- ""Heather Booth, Founder of JANE"" ""Finally, a much-needed book documenting the untold stories of NOW and feminists who relentlessly fought to transform lives, disrupt oppression by changing laws, and advocate for equality and justice from the streets to the courtrooms. The world will get to read an authentic story of the unwavering fight for feminism... thrills and stumbles in all.""--Christian F. Nunes, President, National Organization for Women"

Author Information

Feminist icon Muriel Fox cofounded the National Organization for Women (NOW) and NOW’s powerful Legal Defense & Education Fund (now Legal Momentum), one of the most pivotal forces in the Second Wave Feminist Movement. An organizing lieutenant to Betty Friedan and head of NOW’s communications, Fox was central in creating both national NOW and the New York Chapter of NOW. Muriel Fox was also cofounder and president of The Women’s Forum, which established “networking” for women, and chair of the Veteran Feminists of America. As Executive Vice President of Carl Boyer & Associates, Muriel Fox became the world’s most preeminent woman in public relations. Fox was a Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude graduate of Barnard College in 1948. At age 95, Muriel Fox is still one of the most important leaders in the feminist movement.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available