The Women's Strike for Equality was a landmark event organized to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of women's suffrage in the United States, which allowed women the right to vote. On this day, women across various cities, including New York City, participated in marches and demonstrations to advocate for equal rights, pay, and opportunities in the workforce. The event was spearheaded by key figures from the National Organization for Women (NOW), including Betty Friedan, who played a significant role in galvanizing activists for this cause.

Activists planned the strike as a means to emphasize the ongoing struggles women faced even after gaining the right to vote. Participants gathered for a notable march across Fifth Avenue in New York City and held rallies at various locations. They demanded equal pay for equal work, improvements in childcare, and the right to choose in matters of reproduction. Such demands highlighted the intersection of women’s issues with broader social justice themes during the era, marking a pivotal moment in the second wave of feminism.

The strike did not just occur in centralized locations but sparked a nationwide dialogue, leading to further coordinated actions in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Boston. Demonstrators expressed their demands through banners, speeches, and discussions, which brought visibility to domestic issues long overlooked. It resonated particularly with women who felt undervalued in workplaces or limited by societal expectations. The broader implications of this event served to unify many elements of the feminist movement and rallied women of diverse backgrounds under common goals.