Muriel Fox facts for kids

Muriel Fox, born on February 3, 1928, is an amazing American woman who worked in public relations and fought for women's rights. She helped start important groups that worked for equality and has been a leader in the feminist movement for many years.

Early Life and School

Muriel Fox grew up with her parents, Anne Rubenstein Fox and M. Morris Fox. Her mother's experience as a housewife inspired Muriel to become a feminist, someone who believes in equal rights for women. Muriel went to Weequahic High School and later graduated with top honors from Barnard College in 1948.

A Career in Public Relations

Muriel Fox began her career writing ads for Sears. Then, she worked as a publicist, helping people and companies share their stories with the public. She even helped with political campaigns, like electing a mayor in Miami.

In 1950, Muriel tried to get a job at Carl Byoir & Associates, which was a very big public relations company. At first, they told her they didn't hire women writers. But she didn't give up! She got hired that same year and quickly moved up. By 1956, she became the youngest vice president at the company. Even then, she was told she couldn't go any further because she was a woman. But Muriel kept working hard and eventually became an Executive Vice President in the 1970s. Business Week Magazine called her the "top-ranking woman in public relations" in 1976. She retired from the company in 1985.

Muriel also served on the boards of other companies, like Rorer Pharmaceuticals and Harleysville Mutual Insurance Company.

Fighting for Women's Rights

Muriel Fox is well-known for her work as a feminist activist. She believed strongly that women should have the same opportunities and rights as men.

Starting the National Organization for Women

In 1966, Muriel helped start the National Organization for Women (NOW). This group became very important in the fight for women's equality. Muriel worked closely with Betty Friedan, who was the first president of NOW. Muriel helped write NOW's first goals and organized its New York chapter. She also started NOW's first national newsletter. She held many important roles in NOW, including vice president and chair of its board.

In 1975, Muriel helped NOW work with the TV show Sesame Street. This led to more female characters being shown on the popular children's program, which was a big step for representation.

Leading the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund

In 1970, Muriel also helped create the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund (NOWLDEF). This group worked to protect women's rights through legal action and education. Muriel served as its president and chair of its board for many years.

She organized important events, like The National Assembly on the Future of the Family in 1979. This meeting brought together many leaders to talk about how families were changing in modern times. She also created the annual Equal Opportunity Awards Dinner, which honored people who supported equality.

Other Important Groups

Muriel was also a co-founder of the Women's Forum of New York in 1974. This group brought together successful women from different fields to share ideas and work together on important issues.

Starting in 1993, she led the board of Veteran Feminists of America. For this group, she organized conferences to celebrate feminist authors and artists.

Muriel helped write the book Feminists Who Changed America (2006). She also raised millions of dollars to support feminist causes. She traveled the world, giving speeches about feminism and how women could succeed in the workplace. She often encouraged successful women to proudly say, "Yes, I am a feminist."

In 2024, at 96 years old, she wrote her own book called The Women's Revolution: How We Changed Your Life.

Awards and Honors

Muriel Fox has received many awards for her important work:

• In 1977, she won a Matrix Award from New York Women in Communications.
• In 1979, she was the first woman to win a Business Leader of the Year Award.
• In 1985, she received the Distinguished Alumna Award from Barnard College. She also received the first Eleanor Roosevelt Leadership Award from New York State NOW.
• In 1991, the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund created an award in her honor, called the Muriel Fox Award for Communications Leadership. She was the first person to receive it.
• In 2014, Gloria Steinem, another famous feminist, gave Muriel a Lifetime Achievement Award from Veteran Feminists of America.
• Muriel is featured in the feminist history film She's Beautiful When She's Angry (2014).
• In 2017, she was added to PRWeek's Hall of Fame.
• In 2024, she was named Lifetime Champion Honoree by Legal Momentum.
• In May 2024, she received a Clara Lemlich Award, which honors women who have worked for the greater good their entire lives.

Her papers, which are important historical documents, are kept at the Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America at Harvard University.

Personal Life

Muriel Fox married Dr. Shepard G. Aronson in 1955.