The National Organization for Women (NOW), Whatcom County Chapter, formed circa 1973 in Bellingham, Washington following the formation of the Washington State Chapter of NOW in 1972. The Whatcom County Chapter’s mission was to promote full and equal participation of women in mainstream society.

The chapter held regular meetings and fundraisers and, beginning in 1974, distributed a monthly newsletter to its members. The group also created task forces and facilitated workshops focused on women’s issues such as sexual violence and discrimination in educational systems. Other areas of focus were the image of women in society, equal rights, housing and financial concerns, and reproductive rights. The group dissolved in 1977 due to decreasing membership and participation.

This collection documents the activities of a progressive group of women and men in Whatcom County during the seventies and highlights feminist activism in Northwest Washington.