Women's Strike for Equality

[3] The strike also advocated for other second wave feminist goals more generally, such as political rights for women, and social equality in relationships such as marriage.

[1] In 43 states, women were limited in the number of hours they could work and the amount of weight they could carry (generally no more than 25 pounds (11 kg), the size of a toddler, as some feminists noted).

[8] Betty Friedan, writer of The Feminine Mystique, and a leader of second-wave feminism, then planned the protest to commemorate the anniversary of landmark legislation, and spotlight current battles.

The initial planning meeting was small and chaotic; planners sat in a circle and discussed possible strategies without a real leader or any formal organization.

In the final month leading up to the event, the group was significantly divided into two factions: the young "radical, crazies" and the "bourgeoisie" founders.

[9] Eventually, Friedan prevailed, avoiding deep divisions by recruiting women and men, liberals and conservatives alike.

Others included: "Hardhats for Soft Broads", "I Am Not a Barbie Doll", "Storks Fly – Why Can't Mothers", "We are the 51% minority", and the sardonic "We have the right to vote for the man of our choice".

[1] In conjunction with the New York City action, individuals and groups throughout the nation staged protests, marches, and other various forms of revolt to honor the movement.

Women were portrayed as mothers and wives; doing dishes, rearing children and doting obnoxiously on their husbands, all while wearing heels and aprons.

In addition to refusing to perform paid labor on this day, women across the country were also asked to refrain from any household chores.

[1] Many feminists were angry and dismayed by the language used by major media outlets to describe their movement, as many claimed the reporting was biased and condescending, focusing primarily on the rage of the women in the march and not the overall message.

ABC continued to fuel the anger when reporter Howard K. Smith publicly spoke against the movement, denying its credibility and claiming a lack of evidence for the cause.

The women's movement subsequently engaged in a media backlash, boycotting the four major corporations whose advertising and broadcasting they found to be offensive and degrading.

"Women dominate our elections; they probably own most of the nation's capital wealth; any man who thinks he, and not his wife, runs his family is dreaming,"[7] he said.

Feminists and scholars claimed that the strike was a significant spark for second wave feminism, owing to the protest's high profile in the media and the country.