Muriel Fox
Feminist leader Muriel Fox co-founded the National Organization for Women (NOW) and the powerful NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund (now Legal Momentum), pivotal forces in the Second Wave Feminist Movement. An organizing lieutenant to Betty Friedan and head of NOW’s communications, Fox was central in creating both national NOW and its New York Chapter. Muriel Fox was also co-founder and president of The Women’s Forum and chair of the Veteran Feminists of America. As executive vice president of Carl Byoir & Associates, Muriel Fox became the world’s most preeminent woman in public relations. Fox graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude from Barnard College in 1948. She has two children, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. At age 96, she remains an influential voice in the feminist movement.
Prestigious Honors and Awards
2024—Legal Momentum: Lifetime Champion Honoree
2021—National Organization for Women: Lifetime Achievement Award
2019— Women’s Forum of New York: Elly Award
2018—Rockland Family Shelter : Rockland Women Leaders Hall of Fame
2017—PR Week: Hall of Fame Award
2016—National Organization for Women: Woman of Vision Award
2014—Veteran Feminists of America with Gloria Steinem: Lifetime Achievement Award
2008—Rockland Family Shelter: Distinguished Citizen Award
2008— New York State NOW: Woman to Woman Award
2006—National Organization for Women: Founder Award
1997— Rockland County NOW: Caroline Babcock Award
1991—NOW Legal Defense & Education Fund created the Muriel Fox Award for Communications Leadership Toward a Just Society, and named her the first winner of its “Foxy Award”
1985— First recipient of New York State NOW’s Eleanor Roosevelt Leadership Award
1985—Barnard College: Distinguished Alumni Award
1983—American Women in Radio & Television: Achievement Award
1979— Americans for Democratic Action: Business Leader of the Year Award (First woman)
1977— New York Women in Communications: Matrix Award
1976—Business Week Magazine’s list of 100 Top Corporate Women described Muriel as the “top-ranking woman in public relations”
Interviews with Muriel Fox
Veteran Feminists of America and Makers
“I wanted to change history.” Watch as Muriel Fox discusses her early life and her part in the feminist movement.
That Said with Michael Zeldin
A conversation with Michael Zeldin and Muriel Fox about Fox’s role in the National Organization For Women.
JBS Presents: The Feminine Mystique, 60 Years Later
Muriel Fox discusses The Feminine Mystique with the Jewish Broadcasting Service.
Biographical Articles
Honoring Our Founders & Pioneers
The National Organization For Women (NOW) honors Muriel Fox and the other 48 founders who created and supported NOW from its very beginning.
National Organization for Women Founder on Group’s 50th Anniversary and Finding Success in Anger
TIME magazine analyzes the angry origins of the women’s movement and how anger can be an effective motivator.
Veteran Feminists of America (VFA) track Muriel Fox’s legacy in this thorough biography as a part of their Fabulous Feminists initiative.
Barnard College, Fox’s alma mater, celebrates Muriel Fox’s battle for equality everywhere, from boardrooms to picket lines.