Karen DeCrow, former president of the National Organization for Women, lawyer and writer passed away Friday, June 6th in her home in Syracuse, New York of melanoma at the age of 76.
According to The New York Times DeCrow was the President of NOW during the 1970s, a controversial time for women’s rights. She helped women across the country overcome discrimination in education, athletics and the work place. In the early '70s DeCrow represented a seven-year old girl who wanted to play Little League Baseball and won the case. She is known for strictly enforcing Title IX, although she felt Title VII was of more her true passion, allowing women equal opportunities in the work place.
After her time as President ended DeCrow continued to write novels such as The Young Women’s Guide to Liberation, write for The Syracuse Post-Standard and was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2008 she told The Syracuse Post-Standard that she was lucky to be involved in the equal rights movement, but that the movement is not done. Her accomplishments and ideas will be remembered by many women in the future.