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.
our values
reproductive justice
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.
equal rights
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.
Labor & economic justice
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.
racial justice
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.
LGBTQIA+ Rights
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.
2020 priorities
Each new year our board gathers for a retreat - a time for us to reflect and review on what we accomplished in the previous year. We then re-commit ourselves to our mission and set our priorities for the year. For 2020 we commit to:
DIRECT EMPOWERMENT
• Get out the vote!
• Support ally organizations
• Honor outstanding advocates
MEMBERSHIP ACTIVATION
• Engage & empower members
• Prioritize community meetings
• Emphasize direct action
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
• Promote progressive legislation
• Lobby on behalf of women and allies
• Support political action
• Host advocacy trainings
organizational development
• Grow & diversify allyship
• Increase awareness of NOW
• Strengthen volunteer base
• Walk the walk of intersectionality in our board and membership activities
board meetings
Board Meetings are usually the last Monday of each month, at 7pm. We’d love to have you join us!
Email us if you’re interested.
2018 Seattle NOW Board Retreat on Alki
our mission
Seattle NOW’s goal is to take action to bring equality and justice for women. We work to eliminate discrimination and harassment in the workplace, schools, justice system and all sectors of our society. We work to secure reproductive justice for women, including access to abortion and birth control. We work to end all forms of violence against women. We work to eradicate racism, sexism, and homophobia. We work to promote equality and justice for all.