NOW Newsletter: One More for the Road

Support NOW's Work |	July 20, 2009	| Tell a Friend

ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD Kim Gandy "Today is my final day as NOW president. After 36 years as a NOW activist and leader, the past eight years as president, it is quite a challenge to write my final Below the Belt column. The experiences I've had could fill a book, and someday I just might write one. For now, I have this column, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to share with you just a small taste of the incredible experiences I've had leading this extraordinary organization." Read more of NOW President Kim Gandy's last Below the Belt column. VICTORIES ON THE HILL Two pieces of good news: Last week the Senate voted to add the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act to the Department of Defense Authorization Bill. The act will expand federal hate crimes law to cover sexual orientation, actual or perceived gender, gender identity or disability. Also, Rep. Dennis Kucinich's amendment to allow states to adopt their own single-payer health care plans passed the House Education and Labor Committee. Thanks to all who sent messages and made calls. TELL CONGRESS, 'SUPPORT SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH CARE!' Under a single-payer health care system, no one would be denied care, no exclusions based on pre-existing conditions would be allowed, and women could not be charged higher rates because they use the system more for maternity and preventive care -- as happens currently in the private individual market. Take action now to make single payer health care more possible! Take action! NOW CALLS ON INTERNATIONAL COURT AND MEXICAN GOVERNMENT TO STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN NOW has joined a distinguished group of professors, women's rights organizations, and international human rights NGOs in filing an amicus brief with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, seeking to compel the Mexican government to take effective action to stop the ongoing epidemic of murders, rapes and disappearances of women and girls in Cuidad Juarez. Read more WASHINGTON POST PROMOTES RANDALL TERRY'S ANTI-ABORTION 'MISSION,' FAILS TO QUESTION INFLAMMATORY BROCHURE The Washington Post published a lengthy article about Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry, painting an almost sympathetic portrayal of the man who had this to say about the recent killing of Dr. George Tiller: "Tiller was a mass murderer, and, horrifically, he reaped what he sowed." What The Post neglected to address was Terry's horrific brochure targeting Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor as a "radical supporter of child-killing." Read more		WATCH VIDEO FROM THE CONFERENCE! From the 2009 National NOW Conference in Indianapolis to your computer screen, you can now watch video and see photos of our terrific feminist speakers online. NOW PAC ENDORSES JENNIFER BRUNNER FOR THE U.S. SENATE NOW PAC is pleased to endorse Jennifer Brunner for the U.S. Senate in Ohio. Brunner is a staunch supporter of women's rights and will be a leader in the Senate. Read more and watch her video from the conference. NOW CALLS FOR SWIFT CONFIRMATION OF JUDGE SOTOMAYOR TO SUPREME COURT In a press statement, NOW President Kim Gandy said, "We fully expect the Senate Judiciary Committee to ask probing questions, meticulously interview witnesses, and examine Judge Sotomayor's past decisions. Then we are confident the full Senate will confirm Judge Sotomayor enthusiastically, judiciously, and swiftly." Read more SHARE THE HISTORY: ORDER THE "SENECA FALLS" DOCUMENTARY TODAY Today is the 161st anniversary of the birth of the women's rights movement in America: the Seneca Falls Convention, held in a small village in upstate New York on July 19-20, 1848. Peabody and duPont award-winning filmmaker Louise Vance, after creating two films for California NOW on feminist activism, has just completed a stirring one-hour documentary called "Seneca Falls" to honor this occasion. "Seneca Falls" takes viewers on a life-changing journey with nine high school girls bound for the birthplace of women's rights in the U.S. Part teenage road trip, part shocking history lesson, the film is, above all, an awakening of young hearts and minds. NOW members can purchase this documentary for the discounted rate of $24.95. MORE RECOMMENDED READING: Wise Women Unite! What Sotomayor Should Have Said C. Nicole Mason, Women's eNews Judging the Nominee Alexandra Garcia, The Washintgon Post Abortion Issue Could Derail Health Care Overhaul Julie Rovner, NPR's Morning Edition Hot And Bothering: Media Treatment Of Sarah Palin Jennifer Pozner, NPR The Place of Women on the Court Emily Bazelon, New York Times Sexism on Centre Court Dave Zirin, The Nation Read more at "NOW Read This"
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