This week in history: Feminist leader visits campus

December 6, 2022

Nataly Aguiar curated this article by Nita Hilliard, which The Appalachian published Dec. 11, 1970.

“Men are the fellow victims, not the enemy,” stated Betty Friedan, national feminist leader and author of FEMININE MYSTIQUE in her December 8 appearance at ASU. The 49 year old divorcee emphasized the need for total restructuring of society.

Addressing an overflowing crowd in Appalachian State University’s I. G. Greer Auditorium, Mrs. Friedan termed the feminist movement as “the most basic, and in some senses, the most radical movement of the 60’s”

“We hope for the first time in history to achieve full equality for ourselves – not only for women, but for men and children.”

“And unless we get on with it,” she warned, “the hostility between the sexes that now rages in America could reach the proportions of an Armaggedon that would make the race riots of Watts and Detroit seem like child’s play.”

Mrs. Friedan advocates eliminating the traditional feminine and masculine mystiques.

According to the feminist leader, women have long been characterized as “moronic housewives,” or as “Playboy bunnies.” She pointed out that women comprise 53 per cent of the population but generally earn about half of what men do.

Leave a Comment

Donate to The Appalachian

$1371

$5000

Contributed

Our Goal

We hope you appreciate this article! Before you move on, our student staff wanted to ask if you would consider supporting The Appalachian's award-winning journalism. We are celebrating our 90th anniversary of The Appalachian in 2024!

We receive funding from the university, which helps us to compensate our students for the work they do for The Appalachian. However, the bulk of our operational expenses — from printing and website hosting to training and entering our work into competitions — is dependent upon advertising revenue and donations. We cannot exist without the financial and educational support of our fellow departments on campus, our local and regional businesses, and donations of money and time from alumni, parents, subscribers and friends.

Our journalism is produced to serve the public interest, both on campus and within the community. From anywhere in the world, readers can access our paywall-free journalism, through our website, through our email newsletter, and through our social media channels. Our supporters help to keep us editorially independent, user-friendly, and accessible to everyone.

If you can, please consider supporting us with a financial gift from $10. We appreciate your consideration and support of student journalism at Appalachian State University. If you prefer to make a tax-deductible donation, or if you would prefer to make a recurring monthly gift, please give to The Appalachian Student News Fund through the university here: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1727/cg20/form.aspx?sid=1727&gid=2&pgid=392&cid=1011&dids=418.15&bledit=1&sort=1.