Betty Friedan (February 4, 1921 ? February 4, 2006) was an American feminist, activist and writer, best known for starting what is commonly known as the “Second Wave” of feminism through the writing of her book “The Feminine Mystique”.
“The Feminine Mystique” was published in 1963. It depicted the roles of women in industrial societies, and in particular the full-time homemaker role, which Friedan saw as stifling. In the first chapter, Friedan referred to the problem of gender roles as “the problem without a name”. The book became a bestseller, which some people suggest was the impetus for the second wave of feminism, and significantly spurred the women’s movement.
Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Friedan