This paper examines the relationship between feminism and motherhood as it
plays out in the construction of feminist identities. Through a qualitative
analysis of two grassroots chapters of the National Organization for Women
(NOW), I examine how members' understandings and experiences with motherho
od and their community context and organizational environment shape the con
struction of shared feminist identities. Central to this study is the conce
ption of motherhood as a historically constructed ideology that provides a
gendered model of behavior for women. In the organizations studied I find t
hat motherhood is interpreted two ways: as a social status with political r
amifications and as the act of caring and taking responsibility for relatio
nships. These interpretations are incorporated into "frames" extended to po
tential recruits and shape the group's actions. As a result these two ideol
ogically similar liberal feminist organizations construct distinct feminist
identities.