Feminist Icon Betty Friedan Testified - 1181 Words

On January 29th, 1970, feminist icon Betty Friedan testified before the Senate Judicial committee to protest the appointment of Judge George Harrold Carswell to Supreme Court Justice. With this testimony, Friedan hoped to persuade the committee to reject Carswell’s nomination. In her testimony, Friedan was clear, concise, and effective. Friedan employed many different techniques to provide examples and backings for her assertions. Within the first few sentences of her speech, the activist establishes credibility and states her reason for being there. As president of the National Organization of Women, known informally as N.O.W., Betty Friedan speaks out against the â€Å"discrimination against women in the employment, education, and in all†¦show more content†¦Friedan also uses statistics to remind the court that 4.1 million mothers in the working force have children under the age of six and that they â€Å"comprise 38.9 percent of the nearly 10.6 million mothers in the labor force today† (Friedan). The activist continues to use evidential elements and statistics in her testimony, stating â€Å"for every mother of children who wor ked in 1940, ten mothers are working today, an increase from slightly over 1.5 million to nearly 11 million†(Friedan). Friedan also makes point that a man applying for the same position would not be denied because he was father to pre-school aged children. The use factual evidence makes many of Friedan’s assertions irrefutable and provides solid backing for her case against Carswell. However, Friedan does not just use factual evidence. The activist also appeals to emotions in her testimony, and although this may not be the most effective tool against her targeted audience, it does give her backing beyond the factual. Friedan asks the committee to place themselves in the shoes of those she fights for, and asks for empathy. To paraphrase, Friedan asks them to imagine themselves being denied for reelection, or applying for a job at a company or law firm or university and being told they are ineligible simply because they had a child (Friedan). After painting this picture f or the committee, Friedan hits back with a question, asking â€Å"then how do you feel about appointing to the Supreme Court a man who has saidShow MoreRelatedJohn Rolfe s Impact On America5544 Words   |  23 Pagesthe manuscript until the angel returned the plates back to Smith in September of 1828. Joseph had later found Oliver Cowerdy as a replacement scribe for Harries. In April 6, 1830 Smith had officially opened the church after the Three Witnesses testified saying they had saw the golden plates. Joseph Smith influenced America for being the leader of creating the first religion on American soil. Period 4: Dorothea Dix Dorothea Dix changed America much when she fought for the improvement of the insane