Socialist feminism
Chicago Women's Liberation Union
### Chicago Women's Liberation Union

The [Chicago Women's Liberation Union](/wiki/Chicago_Women%27s_Liberation_Union "Chicago Women's Liberation Union") (CWLU) was formed in 1969 after a founding conference in Palatine, Illinois. [Naomi Weisstein](/wiki/Naomi_Weisstein "Naomi Weisstein"), [Vivian Rothstein](/wiki/Vivian_Rothstein "Vivian Rothstein"), [Heather Booth](/wiki/Heather_Booth "Heather Booth"), and Ruth Surgal were among the founders. The main goal of the organization was to end gender inequality and sexism, which the CWLU defined as "the systematic keeping down of women for the benefit of people in power". The purpose statement of the organization expressed that "Changing women's position in society isn't going to be easy. It's going to require changes in expectations, jobs, child care, and education. It's going to change the distribution of power over the rest of us to all people sharing power and sharing in the decisions that affect our lives." The CWLU spent almost a decade organizing to challenge both sexism and class oppression. The group is best known for the 1972 pamphlet "[Socialist Feminism: A Strategy for the Women's Movement](http://www.historyisaweapon.org/defcon1/chisocfem.html)", by the Hyde Park Chapter of the Chicago Women's Liberation Union. Nationally circulated, the publication is believed to be the first to use the term socialist feminism.

The CWLU was organized as an umbrella organization to unite a wide range of work groups and discussion groups. A representative from each work group went to monthly meetings of the Steering Committee to reach consensus on organizational policy and strategy. They addressed a myriad of issues including women's health, reproductive rights, education, economic rights, visual arts and music, sports, lesbian liberation, and more.


What is the Chicago Women's Liberation Union?