Catherine Shipe East (May 15, 1916 – August 17, 1996) was a U.S. government researcher and feminist referred to as "the midwife to the women's movement".

She was a powerful force behind the founding of the National Organization for Women (NOW) and held several influential federal government positions throughout her career.

[3] Through her position as a government insider, Catherine East served as a foundational conduit of information for feminists across the nation.

[4] After retiring from government service in 1977, East became a full-time activist, working to pass the Equal Rights Amendment in Virginia and nationally and serving as women's issues coordinator in the John Anderson Presidential campaign (Nov. 1979 - Nov. 1980) and as legislative director of the National Women's Political Caucus (Oct. 1983 - Dec. 1986).

She took part in a study of how newspapers handled various women's issues and co-authored a report called "New Directions for News."