The Kenosha chapter of the National Organization for Women was formed in 1972 and chartered in 1973. At its peak, membership averaged about 50 members. The purpose of the organization was to make men and women aware of sexism in contemporary society. Kenosha NOW sponsored consciousness raising sessions, sponsored public lectures, organized a task force on rape, spearheaded local support for the Equal Rights Amendment, and worked for legislators who supported women's issues. Two specific programs included Advance weekends and a Mr. Equal Rights Beauty Pageant. Advance weekends were retreats devoted to raising women's consciousness on topics such as personal appearance, personal time structure, and raising feminist children. The male beauty pageant held in 1976 was aimed at showing that NOW members did not hate men and to demonstrate ironic role reversal. Other activities focussed around the ERA. These included ERA Countdown, a national program on June 30, 1981, and participation in the Illinois boycott for that state's failure to ratify the ERA.
