Not Every Woman Supports Women's Rights
August 29, 2008
Statement of NOW PAC Chair Kim Gandy on the Selection of Sarah Palin as John McCain's Vice Presidential Pick
Sen. John McCain's choice of Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate is a cynical effort to appeal to disappointed Hillary Clinton voters and get them to vote, ultimately, against their own self-interest.
Gov. Palin may be the second woman vice-presidential candidate on a major party ticket, but she is not the right woman. Sadly, she is a woman who opposes women's rights, just like John McCain.
The fact that Palin is a mother of five who has a 4-month-old baby, a woman who is juggling work and family responsibilities, will speak to many women. But will Palin speak FOR women? Based on her record and her stated positions, the answer is clearly No.
In a gubernatorial debate, Palin stated emphatically that her opposition to abortion was so great, so total, that even if her teenage daughter was impregnated by a rapist, she would "choose life" -- meaning apparently that she would not permit her daughter to have an abortion.
Palin also had to withdraw her appointment of a top public safety commissioner who had been reprimanded for sexual harassment, although Palin had been warned about his background through letters by the sexual harassment complainant.
What McCain does not understand is that women supported Hillary Clinton not just because she was a woman, but because she was a champion on their issues. They will surely not find Sarah Palin to be an advocate for women.
Sen. Joe Biden is the VP candidate who appeals to women, with his authorship and championing of landmark domestic violence legislation, support for pay equity, and advocacy for women around the world.
Finally, as the chair of NOW's Political Action Committee, I am frequently asked whether NOW supports women candidates just because they are women. This gives me an opportunity to once again answer that question with an emphatic 'No.' We recognize the importance of having women's rights supporters at every level but, like Sarah Palin, not every woman supports women's rights.
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; cell 202-641-1906
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
ummm....a little lost here guys
what in the world am i supposed to blog about......what in the world is a blog anyway?
a new email from NOW
Hey Tyler!
Ok – I think it would be great if you wanted to start an actual chapter in your area that would be very involved in campus AND community life. That sounds really awesome. So, in order to start this up, you will need to pay a fee of $10. To get all the guidelines and chapter information, I want you to go to our web site and then click on the chapters bar to the top right side of the screen. Then click on the link that says “for chapters”. You will be asked for a login name and password. The login name is “*****” and the password is *****. Once you get there, you’re going to find LOTS of resources for chapters including took kits, ideas for actions and a document about how to start your own chapter. This document is located under the toolbox section and it’s called “Starting Your Own NOW Chapter – convener kit”.
So, this is a huge document that should tell you EVERYTHING you need to know about NOW, setting up a chapter and rules and regulations. Give that a read and poke around a bit on the chapters only web site because you should find some NOW-related inspiration for actions and issues. Once you’ve read that, I’ll be more than happy to assist you with anything else you need, including a package of National NOW Times, brochures, stickers and the whole works.
As far as male feminists .. hmmm… it kind of depends on your interests and goals for your community. One that comes to mind immediately is Robert Jensen who wrote “Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity”. You might also want to check out “He’s a stud, she’s a slut” by Jessica Valenti and “The Beauty Myth” by Naomi Wolf ( I know, not exactly male authors but great reads just the same). Basically, though, you have to really sort of narrow it down by what’s really affecting your community. For daily reads, I would check out feministing.com and our web site. Sometimes The Nation puts out really great articles about feminist issues, too.
So, give that manual a ready and write me back with whatever questions you have left over! Thanks for your enthusiasm, Tyler – it sounds like you’re going to be a fantastic leader.
Lynsea
Ok – I think it would be great if you wanted to start an actual chapter in your area that would be very involved in campus AND community life. That sounds really awesome. So, in order to start this up, you will need to pay a fee of $10. To get all the guidelines and chapter information, I want you to go to our web site and then click on the chapters bar to the top right side of the screen. Then click on the link that says “for chapters”. You will be asked for a login name and password. The login name is “*****” and the password is *****. Once you get there, you’re going to find LOTS of resources for chapters including took kits, ideas for actions and a document about how to start your own chapter. This document is located under the toolbox section and it’s called “Starting Your Own NOW Chapter – convener kit”.
So, this is a huge document that should tell you EVERYTHING you need to know about NOW, setting up a chapter and rules and regulations. Give that a read and poke around a bit on the chapters only web site because you should find some NOW-related inspiration for actions and issues. Once you’ve read that, I’ll be more than happy to assist you with anything else you need, including a package of National NOW Times, brochures, stickers and the whole works.
As far as male feminists .. hmmm… it kind of depends on your interests and goals for your community. One that comes to mind immediately is Robert Jensen who wrote “Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity”. You might also want to check out “He’s a stud, she’s a slut” by Jessica Valenti and “The Beauty Myth” by Naomi Wolf ( I know, not exactly male authors but great reads just the same). Basically, though, you have to really sort of narrow it down by what’s really affecting your community. For daily reads, I would check out feministing.com and our web site. Sometimes The Nation puts out really great articles about feminist issues, too.
So, give that manual a ready and write me back with whatever questions you have left over! Thanks for your enthusiasm, Tyler – it sounds like you’re going to be a fantastic leader.
Lynsea
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Who is NOW backing for president?
Barack Obama Chooses VAWA Champion as Running Mate;
Hillary Clinton to be Nominated at Convention
Statement of NOW PAC Chair Kim Gandy
August 23, 2008
Senator Hillary Clinton was our first choice, and that of 18 million primary voters, but presumptive Democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama's pick, Joe Biden, is a friend of women and a strong selection for Vice President. Biden authored and championed the landmark 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), winning bipartisan support and unprecedented funding for prevention, shelter and safety. VAWA has twice been reauthorized, each time with increased protections for survivors of violence.
NOW welcomes this important opportunity for one of our champions to participate in a national dialogue around issues that are facing our country and our world. We know that Sen. Biden will bring the crucial issue of violence prevention to the forefront as he travels the country discussing issues of concern to voters, especially women voters.
We will be at the Democratic Convention and look forward to Hillary Clinton's name being placed in nomination -- the first woman to compete in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories -- and to a roll call where her extraordinary accomplishments and deep support will be recognized by the delegates.
At the convention we will also celebrate the life of our sister and friend, Hon. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, at an event honoring Women's Equality Day, the 88th anniversary of U.S. women winning the right to vote.
We know that Senator John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, is a longstanding opponent of women's rights, and NOW PAC will actively work to prevent him from succeeding George W. Bush in the White House. At the same time, we will mobilize to support and elect women's rights supporters at every level of government in November.
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For Immediate ReleaseContact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; cell 202-641-1906
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
yay :- )
It worked. I'm Tyler.. the guy who sits in the front.
FYI: Just wanted everyone to know that I'm looking into starting the NOW group for my "November project." If anyone would like to officially start a group with me, just let me know Tuesday night.
FYI: Just wanted everyone to know that I'm looking into starting the NOW group for my "November project." If anyone would like to officially start a group with me, just let me know Tuesday night.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
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