Thursday, August 27, 2009

Our calendar!

Posted by: The Happy Feminist (HappyFeminist at gmail dot com)

CLASSES START TOMORROW!! ARE YOU EXCITED!?!? Yeah, neither are we. If you want something else to look forward to, check out our brand spanking new calendar! Click here for a permanent link to it.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

NOW Launches Action-Oriented Blog on Women's Equality Day




The National Organization for Women

NOW Launches Action-Oriented Blog on Women's Equality Day

"These splendid people are hungry, hungry. Oh, for more power to give out the truth!"
— Elizabeth Cady Stanton, 1875

The National Organization for Women is proud to celebrate Women's Equality Day this year by launching Say It, Sister! — a new blog designed to inform, inspire and instigate feminist activism.

Women's Equality Day marks the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guaranteed women the right to vote. For more than 70 years, the foremothers of feminism campaigned for women's equality at the polls, and they finally achieved victory in 1920.

Nearly a century later, the ballot box remains vital to protecting and advancing women's rights, but the way we educate voters and petition our government has changed dramatically. The Internet has brought us unprecedented organizing power, and there's little doubt that suffragists like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Sojourner Truth would have welcomed this tremendous opportunity to amplify their voices and reach out to women across the country and around the globe.

In the tradition of those great feminists, Say It, Sister! will bring women's rights supporters together to motivate and strengthen each other in our mission to end all forms of sex discrimination. The blog will serve as a place where NOW leaders speak their minds, call women and men to action, encourage feedback and facilitate a lively (no doubt) dialogue.

"I am thrilled to launch NOW's blog, Say It, Sister!, on Women's Equality Day," said NOW Action Vice President Erin Matson. "As Elizabeth Cady Stanton said so long ago, there are many hungry people out there. Well, now we have this incredible power to nourish them and point them in the right direction to make change, and that's just what we plan to do!"

The NOW blog is located at www.now.org/blog


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Posted by,
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
NOW – NYS Young Feminist Task Force Chair
National Organization for Women (NOW)

August 26 is Women's Equality Day: Instituted by Bella Abzug & first established in 1971

Happy Women's Equality Day!
Bella Abzug
August 26 is Women's Equality Day.
Instituted by Bella Abzug and first established in 1971, the date commemorates the August 26, 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women in the United States the right to vote.
Bella is a Hunter alumna, and started her political career as the undergraduate student government president of Hunter College.

Posted by, Jerin Alam, National NOW Young Feminist Task Force, NOW – NYS Young Feminist Task Force Chair, National Organization for Women (NOW)

THF Quick Hit: White House's new site for Council on Women and Girls

Posted by: The Happy Feminist (HappyFeminist at gmail dot com)

First off, Happy Equality Day, y'all. Pay may not be equal, but, hey, the economy's not doing great anyway so we never had a chance! Jokes! Heheh...heh...

[Think happy thoughts, Sabrina...HAPPY thoughts...Equality Day...semester is starting...cookies]




RIGHT. SO. This is just a quick hit to let y'all know that the White House has a new website for the Council on Women and Girls! Here's Chair Valerie Jarrett giving a brief run-down of the Council's duties and brief history.

THF: With this heat, we need fans.

Posted by The Happy Feminist (HappyFeminist at gmail dot com)
Image via Wedding Ideas (no, I'm not dropping any hints)


Feeling lonely on Facebook? Want to keep up-to-date with any last-minute changes? Want to support us anymore?

Do you appreciate the bad pun in this blog post's title line?

Have I got a Fan Page for you!

http://www.facebook.com/hunterequality


It's new. It's awesome. It's feminist and it's on campus! Just one more way we're trying to make it as easy for anyone to get involved! I've connected my cell phone to the status updates so any last-minute event changes will be posted as they happen.

Thanks for all of your continued support, and I hope you're as excited as we are about the new semester!

Our first club meeting
September 2, 2009
1 PM - 3 PM
Student Resource Center
Room 202, Thomas Hunter Hall


See you all there!

PS: 841 followers on Twitter? You're all making me blush!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Action Alert: Fri, 8/28: Help Support Free CUNY Tuition This Friday!


Although I'm not making any formal endorsement for any mayoral candidates yet, I love the idea of a FREE CUNY again.


Click to view this email in a browser

FINAL_avella_logo-wb.jpg

This is James Trimarco, Communications Director for Tony Avella's

campaign for Mayor of New York City. I wanted to make sure you

know that Councilman Avella supports working towards

the reinstatement of free tuition at CUNY.

No other Mayoral candidate this year comes close to

Tony in terms of supporting CUNY.

As Friday is the first day of classes, we'd like to have Tony stand

outside Hunter College—his alma mater—with a group of CUNY

students who support free CUNY Tuition, and talk about the history

and importance of this issue. This event will get media attention

and help raise awareness about CUNY issues.

Do you think you could come out and join us at Hunter College

this Friday at 11:00 am? We are looking for many students to stand

with us, and also for one or two who'd like to speak about their

struggles with rising tuition costs.

If you would like to be involved, please write me at

james@tonyavellaformayor.com.

You can learn more about our campaign at http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TonyAvellaForMayor/1d1f4f821c/b8316e9d67/779bad278d.

Let's Stand Together,

James Trimarco
Communications Director
Tony Avella 2009

Forward this message to a friend (718) 855-7035 http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TonyAvellaForMayor/1d1f4f821c/b8316e9d67/68d1a138cc






Tony Avella For Mayor
2 Prince St
Suite 6006
Brooklyn, New York 11201
US

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RAINNews: Join Christina Ricci in D.C.


Header

Join Spokesperson Christina Ricci
at a Fundraiser for RAINN in D.C.

Header

ChristinaRAINN's national spokesperson, actress Christina Ricci, is headed to D.C. on September 9th to headline a special benefit for RAINN and help us launch a new public awareness campaign. Several leading members of Congress will also be in attendance.

Tracy Sefl, co-chair of the event alongside Katherine Miller, says, "Our event in the nation's capital will bring together supporters from across the political spectrum, as sexual violence knows no borders."

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Fundraiser Event Page read more

1in6 Partners with RAINN
to Create New Online HotlineHeader

Holly1in6, a nonprofit organization that provides information and resources to adult male survivors of childhood sexual abuse, has partnered with RAINN to create the 1in6 Online Hotline. RAINN created a special version of its award-winning National Sexual Assault Online Hotline for 1in6, accessible through the 1in6 website, and will staff and operate the hotline for 1in6.

Interested in reading about Greg LeMond, three-time winner of the Tour de France and board member of 1in6? read more

Headed Back to School?
Don't Forget to Stay Safe...

Header

OHL 2Going to college is a very exciting time, with new friends, new classes and new activities in which to get involved. However, with a brand new environment comes brand new responsibility. There are several risks involved when entering an unfamiliar setting filled with strangers; in fact, college-aged women are four times more likely to be sexually assaulted than any other age group.

Learn more about some simple steps students can take read more

RAINN Featured in Glamour Magazine

Header

AderholtIn an article entitled, "Sex With a Stranger," Glamour magazine investigates the dangers of online dating. The main question – is it liberating or just plain dangerous? RAINN provides stay-safe Dos and Don'ts for Glamour readers choosing to take part in these "casual dating" sites, for example, "DO tell someone where you're going, or bring a friend with you." Pick up a copy of the August 2009 Glamour to read more.

RAINN Materials Now Digitally Available @ RAINN.org!

Header

OWHosting an awareness event? Providing outreach education to students on campus? RAINN has new digitalized materials on our multimedia page! Grab people's attention with handouts, posters and video and audio public service announcements.

RAINN's multimedia materials are available for both individual and public use. All materials are free to use and easy to download!

Use these materials to raise awareness about sexual assault by posting them in your community read more

RAINN Volunteer Spotlight

Header

Helping Survivors Find Their Voice

Mike LentMike Lent: Volunteer for the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline

"I am currently studying psychology, and hope to become a clinical psychologist one day. After learning about the effect that trauma can have on a person, I wanted to start helping people right away and not have to wait until I'm finished with my schooling. RAINN's Online Hotline gives people a chance to seek help and information completely anonymously – that's less scary for many people, and therefore, we wind up able to help more people sooner. I'm glad that I can be a part of this system."







2000 L Street NW
Suite 406
Washington, DC 20036

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This is Equality?


National Organization for Women

Ridicule. Ostracism. Abuse. Imprisonment.

It took women 72 years of ceaseless campaigning to finally win the right to vote in 1920.

This Wednesday, August 26, Women's Equality Day, marks that anniversary. But I don't have to tell you that we have a long haul before women are truly equal.

Sign me up for the Feminist Action Network

Celebrate women's right to vote by becoming a Feminist Action Network member. With a small monthly donation of just $10 or $15, you can support our work toward the next landmark in equal rights and opportunities for women.

So, what do we have to work on? Well, to start:


This is Equality?
  • Women only make $.78 to a man's dollar. Could you use the extra 22 cents?
  • The U.S. has no guaranteed medical leave for childbirth; we're trailing 168 countries in the company of only Lesotho, Liberia, Papua New Guinea and Swaziland.
  • The U.S. is near the bottom of the list -- again -- in our public support for quality childcare for children of working parents.
  • Women only make up 16% of our representatives in Congress.
  • And our right to safe, accessible, legal abortion is threatened by hostile state legislators as well as by domestic terrorists who intimidate, harass and even kill health care providers.

If you can't become a monthly partner, please consider a one-time donation to support our work. Every contribution, large or small, puts us a step closer to the resources we need to keep up the fight.

Our network of grassroots activists is holding our allies in Congress accountable for their campaign promises, but we need to keep the pressure on to remedy the losses of the past eight years.

donate today

I can't guarantee it will be easy, but with members and supporters like you, we will be here for that long haul.

For equality,

Terry
Terry O'Neill
NOW President

NOW Home Edit Profile/ Unsubscribe

Posted by,
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
NOW – NYS Young Feminist Task Force Chair
National Organization for Women (NOW)

NOW President Terry O'Neill to Stand with Reproductive Health Care Providers, Defenders in Nebraska

NOW logo

For Immediate Release
Contact: Lisa Bennett, 202-628-8669, ext. 123;

NOW President Terry O'Neill to Stand with
Reproductive Health Care Providers, Defenders in

Nebraska

"Since the assassination of Dr. George Tiller in May,

anti-abortion forces have set their sights on Dr. LeRoy

Carhart. Operation Rescue plans to besiege

Dr. Carhart's Nebraska clinic this weekend in an

attempt to terrorize the clinic workers and

their patients, with the ultimate goal of closing down

the facility," said NOW President Terry O'Neill.

"Because NOW believes that it is every woman's right

to have access to the full range of reproductive

health care, I will be there to stand with leaders

and activists from NOW and other organizations

to help defend these brave providers."

What: Clinic Defense and Counter-Protest of

Anti-Abortion Demonstrations

Who:
Dr. LeRoy Carhart, Owner and Provider,

Abortion & Contraception Clinic of Nebraska
Terry O'Neill, President, National Organization

for Women
Katherine Spillar, Executive Vice President,

Feminist Majority Foundation
Debra Sweet, National Director, World Can't Wait

When:
Press Conference: Fri, Aug. 28, 9:30 am - 10:00 am
Clinic Defense and Counter-Demonstration:

Fri-Sat, Aug. 28-29, 7:00 a.m. - closing

Where:
Abortion & Contraception Clinic of Nebraska
1002 W. Mission Avenue, Bellevue, Nebraska

"Clinic violence and harassment are domestic terrorism,

plain and simple. The hateful rhetoric and attacks have

grown bolder this year. As we prepare to stand in

peaceful support of women's rights in Nebraska,

we know that every clinic in the United States is a

potential target," said O'Neill. "I call on the Obama

administration to respond to this threat using

the strongest means possible, to prosecute

the criminals, their funders and their co-conspirators,

and to protect every provider, worker and patient across

this nation."

Learn more about NOW's efforts to

defend Dr. Carhart's clinic.



NOW.org Press Room View Online Subscribe Unsubscribe, Edit Profile
Posted by,
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
NOW – NYS Young Feminist Task Force Chair
National Organization for Women (NOW)

Action Alert: Urgent: Dr. Carhart new target of Operation Rescue

Dear Jerin,

Urgent Action is Needed Now!

Make a special, tax-deductible contribution

Keep this Clinic Open Protest Image

Half of your contribution will go toward Dr. Carhart's clinic security, and the other half will support the Feminist Majority Foundation's efforts to help keep targeted and embattled clinics nationwide safe and open.

Operation Rescue of Wichita, Kansas has a new target: Dr. Leroy Carhart and his clinic in Bellevue, Nebraska. Dr. Carhart had traveled to Wichita each month to work with Dr. Tiller, who was murdered in May. Dr. Carhart needs our help now. The situation is urgent.

Troy Newman of Operation Rescue has announced a new multi-group campaign called "Keep it Closed," which aims to make sure Dr. Carhart does not open a late abortion clinic in Wichita, any other place in Kansas, or nearby Nebraska. And Newman hoped "through the use of peaceful, legal means" that Dr. Carhart "will soon be out of the abortion business for good." Operation Rescue is initiating targeted demonstrations and so-called "street counseling" in Omaha and at Carhart's Bellevue clinic August 28-29.

We must do all we can to keep Dr. Carhart and his staff safe and his clinic safe and open.

You can help Dr. Carhart and his embattled clinic by making an emergency, tax-deductible contribution today. Half of your contribution will go directly to Dr. Carhart's clinic to defray the increased legal and skyrocketing security costs - a new metal detector to screen everyone entering the clinic, more security cameras, and other enhanced security measures.

And the other half of your emergency contribution will support our efforts to help keep this clinic and other targeted and embattled clinics nationwide safe and open. Since Dr. Tiller's murder, hostile activities towards clinics are increasing in more than 10 states against abortion providers.

We are working closely with Dr. Carhart, his clinic staff, federal and local law enforcement, and pro-choice community volunteers to prepare for the Operation Rescue-led demonstrations.

Escalating activities targeting Dr. Carhart and his staff eerily resemble the harassment of Dr. Tiller. Operation Rescue has posted photos of Dr. Carhart on their website and has submitted a formal request to Nebraska's Attorney General to investigate Dr. Carhart on many of the same allegations previously used to investigate Dr. Tiller.

Dr. Carhart needs our help. Without clinics, there can be no choice for women. Please make a special tax-deductible emergency contribution now.

Together, we can make a difference.

For Women's Lives,

Eleanor Smeal

Eleanor Smeal
President

P.S. Dr. Carhart needs our help now. Keep this doctor and his staff safe and his clinic open - and help clinics nationwide.

1600 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 801, Arlington, VA, 22209 703.522.2214 webmaster@feminist.org

You have received this e-mail because of your interest in women's issues. To unsubscribe, please go to: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=qGkPeEqqA1KenNt8d6eRnE9lCHwlXiJq.


From Twitter 08-24-2009



  • 12:06:12: 1st testicular guard "Cup" was used in Hockey in 1874. Helmets made mandatory in 1979. Men took105 yrs to realize protecting brain important
  • 12:06:50: RT @Kim_Gandy: Celebrate women winning the vote on 8/26: VOTE 4 YWCA anti-violence programs 2 get funds www.clicktoempower.com #EqualityDay
  • 12:34:10: is allergic to incompetency. As time goes by, I come across more incompetent people. And we wonder why our economy sucks.
  • 17:16:52: Action Alert: Afghan Women and Girls Need Our Help: If you are having trouble viewing this email, please read it.. http://bit.ly/QOjno


Tweets copied by twittinesis.com


Monday, August 24, 2009

Action Alert: Afghan Women and Girls Need Our Help

If you are having trouble viewing this email, please read it online.

NOW Action Alert
Support NOW's Work August 24, 2009 Tell a Friend

Action Needed

Background

All NOW Actions

Continued Threats to Afghan Women Require Support in U.S. and Worldwide

Afghan Women and Girls Need Our Help

Tell Your Senators: Support The Afghan Women Empowerment Act
take action

After taking action, please support our work!

If there is a hell on earth for women and girls, it surely must be found in Afghanistan. Desperate poverty persists and gender-based violence is increasing. Nearly 200 schools have been bombed or set on fire and school girls have had acid thrown in their faces. Illiteracy is over 80 percent among women, and the country has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. Many women are still forced to wear the total body cover of the burka and may not leave home without a male escort. There is an epidemic of suicide among young women who set themselves on fire to escape the severe repression and poverty that they face. A new law, criticized as a trade for votes from the Shia religious minority in the presidential campaign, strips away Shia women's recently guaranteed constitutional rights.

Action Needed:

The Afghan Women Empowerment Act, S. 229, sponsored by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), would give Afghan women and girls a chance at a better life with more opportunities. Please send a message to your senators asking them to co-sponsor and take a leadership role on passing S. 229. Use our formatted message or write one of your own.

Background:

Despite the various efforts made by the United Nations and the U.S. government to improve the lives of women and girls in war-torn Afghanistan, little progress has been made. Hospitals and clinics are scarce, poorly staffed and dramatically under-equipped. Women, especially those in the rural areas, do not have access to even the most basic health care services. Currently, Afghanistan has a very high maternal and infant mortality rate; for every six births, one mother will die as a result of inadequate access to medical attention.

Even though women were granted certain rights in a new national constitution, Afghan women face violence and intimidation in their everyday lives. Oppression of women has increased recently as a result of the resurgence of the Taliban and other religious extremists. These groups have been responsible for scores of attacks against school girls and teachers to prevent them from obtaining an education. In certain parts of Afghanistan, women must still wear the head-to-toe burka and are constrained from participating in public life.

Take action NOW!

Bowing to pressure from religious extremists, President Hamid Karzai has backed the Personal Status Law permitting Shia men to deny their wives food and sustenance if they refuse to obey their husbands' sexual demands. The final version of the legislation also grants guardianship of children exclusively to fathers and grandfathers and requires women to get permission from their husbands to work. Further, the law allows rapists to avoid prosecution by paying victims who are injured while being raped! International public outrage as well as an outcry from Afghan women's rights leaders earlier this year caused Karzai to reconsider this barbaric set of proposals. Karzai was criticized for backing the regressive Personal Status Law as being a trade for votes from the Shia minority, which constitutes about 20 percent of the country's 33 million population. But the new law quietly took effect on July 27, with little improvement, according to Human Rights Watch.

Other news is somewhat more positive. Thanks to continuing pressure from women's rights activists in Afghanistan and abroad, there has been a positive action in the Parliament that suggests there is some hope for Afghan women. In mid-July, President Karzai signed a bill which would punish those who perpetrate violence against women. Under this bill, men who have prevented women from getting an education, working, or obtaining healthcare can be punished for up to six months in prison. This is a commendable act by the Afghan government, but it is not nearly enough. And, as we have seen in other countries, laws to protect women are often ignored.

Passage of the Afghan Women Empowerment Act (S. 229) is crucial. This bill will fully commit the U.S. government in helping advance the rights and well-being of Afghan women. It will provide necessary equipment, medical supplies, and other healthcare assistance in order to reduce maternal and infant mortality. Women and children will have greater access to life-saving immunizations. Constant exposure to violence can have detrimental effects on the mental health of women; this bill will establish programs to provide mental health services.

In addition, S. 229 would establish primary and secondary schools for girls that will offer mathematics, sciences, and languages as well as expand technical and vocational training for women to develop skills needed to support their families. Funding would be provided for programs to protect women and girls against various forms of violence such as sexual assault, physical abuse, trafficking, abduction, and exploitation. This includes developing emergency shelters for women and girls who are facing danger and violence.

We have an opportunity to make a substantial difference in the lives of Afghan women and girls. Contact your senators and ask them to co-sponsor and help pass the Afghan Women Empowerment Act (S. 229) that will help offer millions of women a chance to live a better life.

Read more about the status of Afghan women



take action and then donate

SUPPORT NOW:
Support NOW's Work for Equal Rights Join NOW Monthly Giving Catalog Shop Amazon

TAKE ACTION:
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LISTS:
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Posted by,
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
NOW – NYS Young Feminist Task Force Chair
National Organization for Women (NOW)

From Twitter 08-23-2009



  • 03:09:18: RT @sassbutt Researching possible future neighborhood Astoria, very Middle Eastern; Wikipedia says 1 area is called "Little Terrorists".Wtf?
  • 03:10:16: @ClinicEscort awww puppies
  • 03:12:17: @sassbutt Next time: call me. I love dancing
  • 03:13:12: @astridasteroid It's a power thing. I know it's really hard, but say something. Holla back to their silent threats
  • 03:15:31: @CTrouper It's not #religion; it's culture. Both #Bangladesh and Pakistan, also #Muslim, have had female heads of govt, something US hasn't
  • 03:17:10: @dgeong I love your profile image. #FMF #FeministMajorityFoundation #CampusOrganizers rock
  • 03:18:38: @kadarlikeradar Sending you love and serenity. love from me; serenity from ppl who have it ;)
  • 03:20:35: Where to begin? #Pay since all connected to #MONEY. RT @TheUndomestic August 26 #Women'sEqualityDay. What would YOU like to see #equal?
  • 03:53:07: @SteveinNYC How are they now?
  • 03:57:47: RT @RAINN01 DC: Christina Ricci is coming to town for a RAINN fundraiser on 9/9/09! Get your tickets now! https://donate.rainn.org/dc/
  • 20:18:10: Overcoming Domestic Abuse; National Marriage Boycott; The Greening of Music: August 17 - August 23    .. http://bit.ly/10lTkf
  • 20:18:19: Action Alert: Sat, 8/29: Women's Pro-Health Reform Rally In NYC: Women's Groups to March TogetherIt's time to fi.. http://bit.ly/Msu2J
  • 20:18:25: Volunteer Opportunity: Volunteer Rape Crisis Advocates Needed: Bellevue HospitalProgram:Rape Crisis ProgramDescr.. http://bit.ly/XwY8U
  • 20:18:29: Sat, 9/26: Imagine a World without Sexual Violence: Come Celebrate With Project ENVISION: Date: Saturday, Septem.. http://bit.ly/1a2R4o
  • 20:26:28: @sassbutt OMG! That is so scary. I am sorry, honey. Please move to my hood ASAP
  • 20:26:52: @sassbutt I could give you a tour. Let's do it. When? I work late :(
  • 20:27:13: @sassbutt I can related with a family member of my own.
  • 20:27:39: RT @HappyFeminist Read #NYTimes article -- look for @audaciaray ! http://bit.ly/L1TFv
  • 20:28:02: @TheUndomestic NO! You're the undomestic, remember? ;)
  • 20:30:43: @CTrouper I knew: just wanted to post cuz I noticed in my Bengali paper that the Bangladesh head of govt is #74 most powerful woman in world
  • 21:02:00: @sassbutt I know love. Wanna make it a coalition event? It would be fun. Only problem is that it has to be in the evening if on a weekday


Tweets copied by twittinesis.com


Sunday, August 23, 2009

Sat, 9/26: Imagine a World without Sexual Violence: Come Celebrate With Project ENVISION

Date: Saturday, September 26,2009
Time: 11am - 3pm
Location: McCarren Park at the Field House, Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Organization:
Project ENVISION Williamsburg Coalition

Topic:
Come Celebrate With Project ENVISION

Description:
Imagine a World without Sexual Violence


Come welcome us to the neighborhood and enjoy food, speakers, a raffle and fun!

48% of the Williamsburg residents surveyed experienced sexual violence after the age of 15.

Project ENVISION is dedicated to sexual violence prevention through community involvement. We are community members invested in creating a safe and inclusive environment free from violence.


Download:
(202.09K Bytes)


Posted by,
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
NOW – NYS Young Feminist Task Force Chair
National Organization for Women (NOW)

Volunteer Opportunity: Volunteer Rape Crisis Advocates Needed

Bellevue Hospital

Program:
Rape Crisis Program

Description:
Bellevue Hospital's Rape Crisis Program is looking for individuals 18 and over, to volunteer as advocates in the emergency rooms at Bellevue Hospital Center and NYU Medical Center. Advocates respond to the emergency room to support sexual assault survivors during their ER visit, to ensure that they have the support and information they need at such a critical time. Advocates must be able to respond to the emergency room within 30 minutes of being contacted and must be able to remain with sexual assault survivors for the duration of their ER visit.

We provide a 40-hour training course, at no cost, in return for an 18-month commitment to being on call (by phone or pager) twice a month (evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays). When called in for a case in the Emergency Department, volunteers are reimbursed for taxi expenses to and from the hospital. Additionally, volunteers must go through a medical clearance process in our Employee Health Service, for which there is no cost.

The 40-hour training will consist of:

* Three full weekend days 9am to 5.30pm (October 26, Nov 5 and Nov 12), and

* Four Thursday evenings 6pm to 10pm (October 22 through November 12).


If you would like to find out more information about the program or schedule an interview, contact us at (212)562-3755 or send your resume via email to: francis.vazquez@bellevue.nychhc.org


Posted by,
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
NOW – NYS Young Feminist Task Force Chair
National Organization for Women (NOW)

Action Alert: Sat, 8/29: Women's Pro-Health Reform Rally In NYC

Women's Groups to March Together
It's time to fight back and show that the majority of Americans know we desperately need health reform this year!

A variety of progressive groups and health reform activists are organizing a pro-health reform rally in Times Square on Saturday, August 29 from 2pm - 4pm.

A women's contingent will gather outside Roosevelt's Hospital at West 59th St. and 10th Ave. at 12pm and march together to Times Square.

Organizations participating in the women's contingent include:

* Planned Parenthood of NYC

* NYCLU

* The Community Healthcare Network

* NARAL Pro-Choice NY

* WCLA-Choices Matters

* Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health

If you organization would like to co-sponsor and send participants, please email: info@raisingwomensvoices.net.


This alert is posted on our site


Posted by,
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
NOW – NYS Young Feminist Task Force Chair
National Organization for Women (NOW)

Overcoming Domestic Abuse; National Marriage Boycott; The Greening of Music

August 17 - August 23
 
 

Hey Changemakers,

A remarkable story came to a happy conclusion on Change.org this week and had our entire team celebrating.

A few months ago, a woman named Privilege contacted our Human Trafficking blog asking for help. Like thousands of women each year, she had been brought to the U.S. by a brutally abusive husband who sexually abused and physically enslaved her.

Against all odds, Privilege managed to escape with her children after 9 years of surviving the abuse. However, she didn't have a work visa and had no way to support her children, and her application for a "U Visa" for survivors of domestic violence and sexual exploitation was being held up.

At her request we published Privilege's story, and another Change.org reader who works at a local social service agency responded in the comments section with advice and connected Privilege to an attorney who could help her navigate visa application process.

Then, this week, Privilege sent us the following good news:

"Today my attorney called me to inform me that I am now a U Visa recipient!!! I can now earn a living for myself and decide how my life will go!!! I have been waiting two months short of ten years for this moment. There is a God out there and He has smiled on me! Thank you to everyone who prayed for me and called and wrote to USCIS on my behalf. A new day has dawned."

We couldn't be happier for the remarkable woman we're proud to call a member of the Change.org community.

Special thanks goes to our Human Trafficking blogger Amanda Kloer and Change.org member Jennifer V. for their role in making this possible. If you want to send Privilege your best wishes, please add a comment at the bottom of this blog post. And if you want to find out how you can help more women like Privilege, visit our friends at the Tahirih Justice Center.

For more of this week's top news and commentary from the world of change, see the summaries below:

 

Top Actions This Week


Pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act
by Human Rights Campaign
Take action »




Unlock the Camps in Sri Lanka
by Amnesty International USA
Take action »




Make 'No Hunger' - Al Gore's Next Movie
by Action Against Hunger
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National Marriage Boycott
While politicians in Washington stall on addressing the federal prohibition on same-sex marriage, students across the country are taking things into their own hands. Recently a group of Stanford students created The National Marriage Boycott, a grassroots movement of people who are pledging not to get married until everyone - including gay couples - have the same rights to civil marriage. The organization has been gaining momentum and is now a finalist for a $10,000 grant to expand their network. Read more to see how to vote for their project. (Read more)

 

The Greening of Music
iTunes are good for the planet. Sure, digital downloads have been blamed for eviscerating the music industry's profit model. But as Stop Global Warming blogger Emily Gertz writes, compared to commerce in compact discs, they're great for the climate. Digital music cuts the energy and carbon dioxide overhead by 40 to 80 percent over distribution of a physical CD. Given those numbers, it makes the most sense for the health of the Earth to buy your Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga or Beyoncé over the Internet. (Read more)

 

Beer vs. Marijuana
Would legalizing marijuana spark a reduction in alcohol abuse? That's a question tackled by Criminal Justice blogger Matt Kelley, who looks at one new book that suggests marijuana prohibitions have fueled dangerous drinking habits. What's more, it seems that the alcohol industry is heavily invested in keeping marijuana illegal. That's a bad thing across the board, both for U.S. drug policy and for a bloated criminal justice system. (Read more)

 

Hurricane Katrina Anniversary
This weekend marks the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and the devastation that the storm wrought on the Gulf Coast. There's a clamor underway among poverty activists to get President Obama to mark this anniversary with a renewed pledge to fight for equitable recovery of the Gulf Coast. It's too bad, according to Poverty in America blogger Leigh Graham, that these calls are falling on deaf ears at the White House. If we learned anything from Hurricane Katrina, it's that we need an inclusive framework for fighting poverty and inequality. (Read more)

 

Accepting Female Abuse
A striking study from UNICEF reveals how many women across the world think it's acceptable for a man to hit his wife - ranging from 54% in India to 90% in Jordan. Women's Rights blogger Jen Nedeau notes how this reflects the sad reality of widespread domestic violence across the globe, which in many places is seen as a regular fact of life. Given how entrenched these attitudes seem to be, what will it take to end this abuse? (Read more)

 

We hope everyone had a great weekend,

- The Change.org Team

 

Posted by,

Jerin Alam

National NOW Young Feminist Task Force

NOW – NYS Young Feminist Task Force Chair

National Organization for Women (NOW)