LIMITED EDITION

BEtty light whiskey

Our Betty light whiskey is a limited-edition tribute to Peoria native and feminist icon Betty Friedan. It is available only at our tasting rooms.

Born in Peoria in 1921, Betty escaped family strife and anti-Semitism to attend college, start a career in journalism and advanced the cause of feminism nationwide.

When she was forced out of the workforce for becoming a wife and mother, she railed against the expected domestication of women and co-founded the National Organization for Women. She became a diplomat, author and agitator who spent her life in pursuit of liberty and happiness for herself — and in doing so, opened the door for other women to follow.

This whiskey comes in an exclusive bottle featuring art by Eliza von Zerneck, and a part of the proceeds from every sale will go to support the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. The PSO was mentioned in Betty’s autobiography as a catalyst for bringing the community together. The orchestra and their composer-in-residence Stephanie Ann Boyd recently celebrated Betty’s legacy with the world premiere of Everywoman: A Friedan Centennial Memoire in 2021.

JK Williams is proud to support our community and celebrate the legacy of this incredible woman.