Few people, even native Peorians, realize that Betty Friedan was born in Peoria, Illinois. In 2007, a small group of local women felt it was time to honor Friedan locally, in a significant way. Many of the opportunities available in the business world today are a reflection of Friedan's influence.
Friedan was a a feminist crusader and author. Her book The Feminine Mystique ignited the contemporary women’s movement in 1963. She was a revolutionary who envisioned a society where men and women deserved equal opportunity and received equal rewards.
Betty Friedan was a founder of the National Organization for Women and played a key role in the struggle for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. She was a convener of the National Women's Political Caucus which, ironically, does not currently have a chapter in Illinois.
To date, there is no public tribute to Friedan in her hometown. Fran Kepler, a member of the Betty Friedan Celebration Committee, explained that a statue “just wasn’t Betty.” The committee sought a way to celebrate not only Betty Friedan but the lives of other local women who go unnoticed for their accomplishments. The tribute needed to be a living, vibrant tribute that would continue to inspire women.
During many of her most influential years, Friedan lived in Peoria. The YWCA Peoria provided her with a public platform during those key years.
Thus, was born the idea of renaming the local YWCA Family Child Care Learning Center as the “Betty Friedan Child Care Center.” The learning center serves children from age six months to twelve years.
There are also plans to create a Celebration Hall at the YWCA Peoria to recognize the uncelebrated accomplishments of other women of and from Central Illinois. The hall will be modeled after the Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, NY, of which Betty Friedan is a member.
The Celebration Hall will be located in the YWCA Lakeview Center in Lakeview Park. The Celebration Committee, together with the ywca peoria, will establish the criteria and physical recognition of the Hall.
Funding Opportunities
It will cost $100,000 to rename the “Betty Friedan Child Care Center.” Fundraising is underway for the renaming project, with a nod to the women’s movement.
The top level donation is Equality. The second-level donation is Second Wave, referring to the progress toward women's rights in the 60's and 70's. The third level is Peoria Mystique, referring to Friedan's book the Feminine Mystique. The fourth level is EverYWoman - Molly McGee, honoring Molly of the radio duo Fibber McGee and Molly who were also Peoria natives (the "YW" in the middle of "EverYWoman" is capitalized to represent the YWCA).
- $5,000 and up Equality
- $2,500 - $4,999 Second Wave
- $1,000 - $2,499 Peoria Mystique
- $100 - $999 EverYWoman - Molly McGee
- $10 - $99 Gift
To keep up to date with the Betty Friedan Tribute, join the Betty Friedan Hometown Tribute Facebook fan page. For more information, visit the YWCA Peoria website.
Comments