National Organization for Women photograph collection, 1982

The National Organization for Women was founded in 1966 October for the purpose of bringing women into full participation in the mainstream of American society. In the 1980s, the Utah chapters of the National Organization for Women (NOW) worked towards achieving legislation to promote equal rights, equality in pay, access to day care, better vocational training and education, social security increases for women, and other issues.

On 1982 October 2, the Utah National Organization for Women sponsored a peaceful protest in support of women's rights. Events included a 9:00 a.m. rally at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City, followed by a march and picket of Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City. The purpose of this demonstration in support of women's rights was to promote the newly introduced Equal Rights Amendment and to continue the fight for equality against those who opposed the advancement of women into full citizenship. The Utah National Organization for Women hoped to draw attention towards their fight against Senator Orrin Hatch and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who NOW considered opponents of women's rights. The protest took place during the semiannual General Conference held by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As of 2025, the Utah chapter of NOW focuses on six priority issues including reproductive rights, ending sex discrimination and promoting constitutional equality, promoting diversity and ending racism, economic justice, stopping violence against women, and LGBTQIA rights.

Sources: ERA Rally Set Oct. 2. (1982 September 30). Park Record, p. 8. https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6dn8643/8234177

National Organization for Women. (2011 July). History: Founding. https://now.org/about/history/founding-2/ (Original work published 2006)