The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States. NOW has 500,000 contributing members and 550 chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Since its founding in 1966, NOW's goal has been to take action to bring about equality for all women. NOW works to eliminate discrimination and harassment in the workplace, schools, the justice system, and all other sectors of society; secure abortion, birth control and reproductive rights for all women; end all forms of violence against women; eradicate racism, sexism and homophobia; and promote equality and justice in our society. __Since its inception in 1973, the Copper Country NOW was active in the pursuit of legal equality for women. The local chapter grew out of a women's consciousness group organized by Ernice Carlson and Barbara Gundlach in 1971. As part of its efforts to educate the public, a newsletter called Focus on Women and a weekly radio program addressed topics of the day. The group also monitored local court cases involving violence against women, helped form the Houghton County rape task force and victim support team and helped write new Michigan sexual assault laws. Additionally, the group endorsed political candidates and organized rallies and protests. As of 2010 the local chapter no longer exists.