Betty Friedan
biography
Betty Naomi Goldstein was born in Peoria, Illinois on February 4, 1921. Her father Harry ran a jewelry store and her mother Miriam was a journalist. Both of her parents were Jewish. Betty and her siblings experienced anti-Semitism while they were young. While in high school Betty excelled at extracurricular activities and her class, she was exceptionally good at her school newspaper. The newspaper gave Betty a life long interest in journalism.
After high school Betty enrolled at Smith College. During that time WWII was happening. Betty became the chief of the Smith College Associated News. Betty graduated in 1942 with degree in psychology. After that Betty enrolled at the University of California at Berkeley in the psychology department. Betty's studies in psychology helped her later journalism. Betty moved to New York and worked for a short time as a reporter.
Betty married Carl Friedan in 1947. They had three children Daniel, Jonathan, and Emily. She divorced Carl in 1969 and he died in 2005. Betty died of heart failure on February 4, 2006 Bettys' 85th birthday.