Happy 50th Birthday to “The Feminine Mystique”

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of one of the classic texts of feminism’s Second Wave, Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique. The book was a bestseller, the title entered the lexicon and women were offered a name for “the problem that has no name.”

Here’s a little Feminine Mystique at 50 quiz for you to answer in Comments:

1. Have you read Betty Friedan’s famous book?

2. How old were you when you read it?

3. Did it affect your becoming a feminist?

4. What stood out most for you in the book?

5. Did you ever reread it? Recently? Did you learn something new or have a different critique?

6. Would you recommend it to other feminists to read? Why or why not?

About

The late Michele Kort—a dedicated feminist—was the senior editor of Ms. magazine for 13 years. She died June 26, 2015, after a long battle with ovarian cancer. She worked for decades in field of journalism, covering sports, music, culture, art and feminist issues for publications like LA Weekly, The Advocate, Shape, Redbook, Los Angeles Times Magazine, Songwriter, InStyle, Living Fit, Fit Pregnancy, Vegetarian Times, Fitness, UCLA Magazine, Women's Sports and Fitness and more. She is the author of four books, including a biography of singer/songwriter Laura Nyro, Soul Picnic: The Music and Passion of Laura Nyro. Rest in power, Michele.