Kathryn F. Clarenbach (October 7, 1920 – March 4, 1994) was an early leader of the modern feminist movement in the United States and the first Chairperson of the National Organization for Women (NOW).
Clarenbach attended Sparta High School, took part in numerous clubs including German club, a cappella choir, orchestra, debate, yearbook, volleyball, basketball, and had the lead part in the senior play.
She had a mixture of study partners from a Supreme Court justice, a local lawyer, and a progressive left-winger.
Clarenbach worked at a gift shop and sold tickets to make spending money during her college years.
After her marriage, Clarenbach was offered teaching jobs at both Purdue University and Bryn Mawr College.
[citation needed] In 1948 Clarenbach and her husband joined others to work on Henry Wallace's unsuccessful presidential campaign.
During her time as a new mother Clarenbach was also busy with volunteer work including holding a position on the state board of the Missouri League of Women Voters.
During her time as chair she helped change and redefine several laws which were unfair to women, such as those on sexual assault, divorce, and marital property.
Alarmed at the potential damage that alignment with lesbians could being to the Second Wave feminist movement during its early years, she argued it would be "a disastrous blunder" to support women's sexual freedom.
Clarenbach learned a lot during her tenure as executive director on the International Women's Year Commission, even though many poor decisions were made during that time due to fear and anxiety from conservative harassment.
Clarenbach was on the steering committee on the National Association of Commissions on the Status of Women and was its first president in 1970.
Clarenbach and some other co-workers have created a film that has been on demand over the nation, Never Underestimate the Power of Women.
She has also edited and published a book, Green Stubborn Bud : Women's Culture at Century's Close.