Priorities & Values

WHAT WE VALUE

  • Seattle NOW unequivocally supports access to safe and legal abortion, effective birth control and emergency contraception, reproductive health services and education for all.

    Our chapter works closely with sister-chapters and allied groups around the region to push back against the assault on women’s reproductive freedoms in our country.

  • In the past, our chapter has demanded equality be codified in law as a prime sponsor of the Washington State Equal Rights Amendment (ratified 1972); worked to relax anti-homeless laws; and lobbied for protection from discrimination on the basis of sex.

    As a generalist organization, we fight for equity for all.

  • Throughout the years we have championed women’s rights in the workplace by partnering with unions and taking on big companies like Vulcan, Walmart, Mitsubishi, and Macy’s in the fight for fair hiring practices, equal pay, better working conditions and contracts, and freedom from sexual harassment and assault.

    We are proud of our ongoing partnership with UFCW 21, the largest private-sector union in Washington.

  • Ending Violence
    Against Women

    Seattle NOW has been actively combating sexual and gender-based violence for decades. We’ve established sexual assault relief resources, fought for the removal of marital exemptions for rape, and pressured state law enforcement to process cold case DNA. In 2017 we worked with the legislature on terminating parental rights in cases of rape. Most recently, we supported Representative Tina Orwall and Senator Karen Keiser in passing critical legislation requiring the processing of thousands of untested rape kits around the country.cription

  • Seattle NOW stands unequivocally for racial equality, and an end to centuries of systemic racism in our country. A leader in the struggle for civil rights since its inception in 1966, NOW is committed to diversifying our movement, and we continue to fight for equal opportunities for women of color in all areas including employment, education and reproductive rights.

    Today, Seattle NOW is using its voice to support systemic change to end police brutality. Learn More.

  • NOW is committed to fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in all areas, including employment, housing, public accommodations, health services, child custody and military policies. NOW is committed to educational efforts that combat the adverse effects of homophobia, promote positive images in the media and ultimately ensure civil rights protection for all. NOW asserts the right of LGBTQIA individuals to live their lives with dignity and security, and marriage equality for all.

WHAT WE DO

  • Legislative Advocacy
    We push for bold, feminist policy at the state and local level—tracking bills, organizing volunteers, and lobbying lawmakers in partnership with WA State NOW.

    Advocacy Trainings
    We host accessible trainings that give people the knowledge and tools to take political action—from contacting legislators to testifying at hearings.

    Empowering Voters
    We support voter engagement through education, outreach, and nonpartisan resources that help our communities make informed decisions at the ballot box.

  • Community Events
    We hold rallies, teach-ins, workshops, and other gatherings that build collective power and create space for connection and action.

    Supporting Ally Organizations
    We show up for partner orgs fighting for racial justice, disability rights, economic equity, climate justice, and more—because none of us are free until all of us are.

  • RISE UP: Feminist Leadership Event
    Our annual RISE UP event brings together activists, leaders, and community members for a day of workshops, speakers, and skill-building—designed to grow feminist leadership in Seattle and beyond.

    Feminist Reading Group
    Our reading group is a space to explore feminism through books, essays, and open conversation—always with an intersectional lens.

  • Our members are the heart of everything we do. We focus on building an active, informed, and connected membership base through:

    Engagement & Empowerment
    We create space for members to lead, learn, and take action—whether it’s organizing an event, lobbying a legislator, or sharing their story.

    Community Meetings
    We prioritize regular meetings that keep members informed, connected, and energized. These aren’t just updates—they’re strategy sessions, political education, and space to build collective power.

    Emphasis on Direct Action
    From protests to policy pushes, we don’t just talk about change—we make it happen. We encourage members to take bold, visible action in support of feminist values.

seattle now is proud to be an affiliate of over 500 sister chapters across the country.

 

The National Organization for Women (NOW) has been rabble rousing for more than 50 years.

Since its conception, NOW has grown from a grassroots organization to one of the leading feminist activist groups in our nation. To date, The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest organization of feminist activists in the U.S. with over 500,000 members and 550 chapters in all 50 states.

To push for social change NOW uses both traditional and nontraditional means from rallies and picketing actions, to lobbying and filing lawsuits.