Rhode Island NOW has long had a mission to galvanize women into political action.
In fact, it's part of a national organization that was founded in 1968 by Betty Friedan, author of "The Feminist Mystique." It's only until the last few years that a handful of area groups came together to create the state-wide chapter that exists today.
So, while it's work is hardly new, RI NOW continues to drive change for the better in the ecosystem — and its influence has outgrown its initial mission statement.
"At the most general level, we're focused on equality in all forms," said RI NOW president and Brown professor Hilary Levey Friedman. "We have a particular focus on equity between the sexes, but also, because we have so much intersection these days — race, class, sexuality — there are a few issues that we focus upon."
Chief among them? Reproductive freedom, via access to contraception and abortions; protection for women against violence; and advocacy for free and equal pay.
"We're focused on equality in all forms."
"In this particular moment, we have a lot going on in he country, [and people are] engaged on issues," she continued. "We have to pick what we can do and where we think we can make an impact."
RI Now encourages participants to make a similar choice for themselves when considering how to best get involved. Volunteers can help raise money, plan an event, canvas for RI NOW approved-candidates on behalf of the organization, write op-eds and more.
Members are also encouraged to come to the chapter's annual meeting, where they can connect with other participants and volunteers.
"It's [about] quantity over quality ... building community, and giving people advocacy so they feel like people can win in their community," Levey Freidman said.
It's been a particularly busy year for RI NOW, she added, stating that the organizations has conducted a fundraiser for a political action committee and an advocacy program at the State House for free childcare.
