NOW President Delivers Gift and Message to Alan Simpson: Don't Cut Social Security

For Immediate Release Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116 NOW President Delivers Gift and Message to Alan Simpson: Don't Cut Social Security September 29, 2010 NOW President Terry O'Neill delivered on a promise when she presented Fiscal Commission Co-Chair Alan Simpson with 1,500 baby bottle tops this morning and promptly asked him to step down from the commission. After Simpson insulted those who depend on Social Security -- many of them older women, children and people with disabilities -- by referring to the program as "a milk cow with 310 million tits," NOW came up with its "Tits for an Ass" campaign. The organization put out a call to its supporters, and they responded enthusiastically with donations to help buy baby bottle nipples in bulk to give to Simpson. "We needed to send him this message in person, and we wanted to make it memorable," said O'Neill. "We can't have someone with obvious animosity toward women and seniors making important decisions on Social Security. This commission is supposed to be developing ways to reduce the national debt, which, by the way, has nothing to do with Social Security. But Mr. Simpson is bent on weakening a federal program that prevents many women retirees from living in deep poverty." Women make up the largest group of elderly who live in poverty, and a cut in Social Security or raising the retirement age will only make things worse. Throughout their lives, women on average are paid less then men; in addition, they often work at part-time jobs or take extended leave from the workforce to raise children. As a result, women are less likely to have pensions, investments or life savings, making them extremely vulnerable in retirement. "A cut to Social Security is a cut to the middle class. Mr. Simpson should know that the middle class is in a precarious position in this country, with millions in danger of falling into poverty," said O'Neill. "Asking women -- heck, asking anyone! -- to accept a cut in their Social Security benefits or to continue working into their 70s is no way to reduce the national debt, and it certainly is not the answer to strengthening the system." O'Neill concluded: "Since it is clear that Mr. Simpson does not intend to step down from the Fiscal Commission, NOW will continue to urge President Obama to remove the Social Security foe from his influential position. And we will continue to educate women's rights and economic justice supporters about the threats to Social Security and what is at stake." View video of O'Neill making her delivery to Simpson View photos of the accompanying demonstration ### NOW.org | Press Room | Support NOW's Work

 

Greater NYC for Change: How We Can Win in November

Rally Saturday, October 2  One Nation Working Together: Rally for Jobs, Justice and Education for All  Thousand to rally in DC to march for the change they voted for. For ways to get to DC, click here. Meet Up Thursday, September 30, 6 - 9 PM  Canvassing, Phonebanking and Data Training for Introverts, Neophytes, Skeptics -- and YOU!  Join us on September 30! For details and to RSVP, click here. Canvass There are two Congressional races close to New York, and even closer in the polls! Sunday, October 3, 10 AM - 4 PM Help re-elect Tim Bishop in Long Island  RSVP to leave from Penn Station or Brooklyn/ Atlantic Avenue  Congressman Bishop is in a tough race with self-funded businessman Randy Altshulter, who made his fortune outsourcing jobs to India. The polls show Bishop in a battle. Sunday, October 3, 1 - 5 PM Help re-elect John Hall in upstate New York  RSVP to leave from Grand Central  Hall's opponent, Nan Hayworth, says she'll "repeal/replace/defund" health care reform. The polls are neck and neck, with Hayworth slightly ahead. Phonebank Click here for all phonebanks in New York City! The O.F.A. campaign office is now open every afternoon until Election Day!  Monday - Friday, 1 - 5 PM at 25 East 21st Street, 4th floor (map) Do you have a spare computer to donate? They're needed for data entry! Email Kate at DoehringK@dnc.org.

NOW Delivers Baby Bottle Tops to Alan Simpson

For Immediate Release Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116 NOW Delivers 1,500 "Tits for an Ass" to Alan Simpson September 28, 2010 NOW members have spoken loud and clear: They want Fiscal Commission Co-Chair Alan Simpson out -- and NOW President Terry O'Neill is ready to send him home with 1,500 baby bottle tops. On Wednesday, Sept. 29, at the next meeting of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, O'Neill will hand deliver nearly 1,500 baby bottle tops from NOW members as part of its "Tits for an Ass" campaign calling for the removal of Alan Simpson. In August, Simpson sent a petulant and insulting e-mail tirade to Executive Director Ashley Carson of the Older Women's League (OWL), comparing Social Security to "a milk cow with 320 million tits" and disparaging those who advocate on behalf of Social Security recipients as unable to "find honest work." "NOW's 500,000 members and supporters responded overwhelmingly when we asked them to use our website or Twitter account to help us buy baby bottle nipples," says O'Neill. "And I'm ready to deliver them to Mr. Simpson -- as a going-away gift -- when I urge him to have the decency to step down from the Fiscal Commission." "The Fiscal Commission should be led by someone who will actually try to address the federal budget deficit, instead of using it as an excuse to undermine Social Security by cutting benefits or raising the retirement age," O'Neill continues. "Alan Simpson is not that person." What: Delivery of 1,500 baby bottle tops to Fiscal Commission Co-Chair Alan Simpson by NOW President Terry O'Neill When: Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010; 9:10 am Where: Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 608 (Location subject to change by commission) Who: National Organization for Women and economic justice allies ### NOW.org | Press Room | Support NOW's Work

Are you a National Organization for Women (NOW) FAN?

 

You and I share a deep commitment to feminist values.  And I'd like to tell you about another way to show your support for women's equality.

NOW's work is made possible by members of the Feminist Action Network, a special group of dedicated members.  Those who join our Feminist Action Network (affectionately called NOW FANs) commit to a small, automatic monthly contribution to the National Organization for Women.

Are you a part of this special group of NOW members? If not, then consider joining NOW FANs today.

NOW FANs are committed to fueling direct action for women's rights.

Last year, with the support of the FANs, we organized supporters from around the country to travel to Charlotte, North Carolina in order to protect and provide safe access to the doctors and patients at the Family Reproductive Health Clinic.  Due to NOW's work, that was the first Saturday in 8 years that the clinic was free from harassment by Operation Save America!

And this year, NOW FANs also helped provide us with the means to activate our base to rally, picket, write, blog and lobby to keep the Federal Government from cutting and gutting Social Security.

Working together, your monthly gifts will make it possible for NOW to do what we do best -- fight back whenever women's rights are under assault. And the best part is that it's easy and convenient for you.

As a NOW FAN, you help fund the movement for women's equality.

FANs provide NOW with a steady and dependable flow of income. Your commitment ensures the funds are in place to support our campaigns for equality.

FANs allow NOW to act immediately whenever women's rights come under attack -- without spending precious time scrambling for the funds to take action.

NOW FANs save us time and money usually spent on fundraising, so more of your money goes directly to funding the grassroots actions that have made NOW so effective.

Being a NOW FAN is a convenient and easy way to make a difference.

You can give more, but you feel it less. Maybe a one-time gift of $300 isn't in the budget, but your monthly gift of $25 will equal that amount in just one year -- FAN makes giving easier.

You can authorize a debit from your checking account with electronic funds transfer or simply charge your credit or debit card. A record of each payment will appear on your monthly bank statement or credit card statement and will serve as your receipt. There are no notices and no need to mail a check or find a stamp -- FAN makes giving convenient.

Will you become a NOW FAN today?

For justice and equality,

Terry

P.S. You may cancel or change your contribution at anytime by calling us at 202.628.8669.

Greater NYC for Change: Volunteer Training & Swing State Action

Learn Brooklyn Volunteer Training: Phonebanking and Canvassing for Introverts, Skeptics and YOU! Thursday, September 30, 2010, 6:00pm Dinner, 7:00-9:00pm Training  Phonebanking and canvassing change the course of elections—and the course of history. Are you shy? Skeptical? Do you wonder if phone calls and canvassing really make a difference? Mindy Diane Feldman will present an informative look at effective field work. She'll address why it works and how we know it does. RSVP on MYBO or at FACEBOOK Take Action This Fall, New York is Definitely a Swing State Fight back against Tea Party Republicans by contacting voters throughout New York State. Listings are on My.BarackObama.com If you forgot your "mybo" password, find it here. Calling on everyone—pick one day between now and election day to get out the vote for a Democratic candidate! Greater NYC Upcoming Events View upcoming event listings here on our website!

ACTION ALERT: "Get on the Bus" to DC Oct. 2nd for a nation of hope and unity (...NOT fear and division)

Dear Members, Supporters, and Friends,

 

On this coming Saturday, Oct. 2^nd, hundreds of thousands of Americans, including tens of thousands of New Yorkers, will convene on the National Mall in Washington, DC, for a historic gathering to restore our nation's vision of hope and unity.  Led by a broad coalition of national civil rights, organized labor, and other like-minded organizations, participants will rally and march in support of the change America voted for 2 years ago:  good jobs, affordable health care, universal education, renewable energy, full civil and human rights for all in America, and an economy that works for all of us, not just the richest 1-2%.

 

Most of all, people will be joining together during this crucial election season to combat a cynical politics of fear, hate, and division, and instead affirm our nation's values of hope, justice, opportunity, and inclusion.

 

Buses are leaving from all over the New York area to take people down and back to DC this Saturday.  They are being sponsored by a plethora of community groups, trade unions, religious congregations, issue coalitions, and public officials.  Many are free or low cost.  Here's how to find one near you:  http://www.onenationworkingtogether.org/pages/transportation

 

Or contract your own local union and community group to see what they may be planning, or for a referral they may have or be offering.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

As the famous phrase from the civil rights movement goes, "Get on the bus!"  Find one near you and get on it.  Reach out to friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to join with you as a group.  Car pool down if you like.  But whatever,… BE THERE!

 

See ya' down there!

 

Mark Hannay

Director

 

Metro New York Health Care for All Campaign

40 Worth Street, Suite 802

New York, NY  10013

212-925-1829

www.metrohealthcare.org

Action Alert: Two senators put a hold on National Women's History Museum

Please post anywhere. I just called both senators.

Two Senators put a HOLD on National Women's History Museum bill!  It will be the first museum of Women's History in DC. 

Call on Monday.  Our daughters need this museum.  We need this museum. Demand representation. 

The museum website:

  

http://www.nwhm.org/

Gail Collins article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/25/opinion/25collins.html?_r=1&ref=gailcollins

Excerpt:

The legislation would simply allow a private group, conveniently named National Women's History Museum, to buy an unlovely piece of federal land on Independence Avenue for the site. "We will pay fair market value and pay for construction," said Joan Wages, the president. The bill allows five years to raise the money and break ground. If the group fails, the land would revert back to the government, which would get to keep the purchase price.

The problem, Meryl Streep pointed out at a fund-raiser for the museum this week, is getting the government to take the money. At the gala, Duane Burnham, the former chairman of Abbott Laboratories, announced a donation of $1 million in honor of his four granddaughters. Streep then put up $1 million herself.

~snip~

" is that two senators, Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, have put holds on the bill. A hold is one of those quaint Senate traditions that ensures that each individual member of the chamber will have the power to bring all activity to a screeching and permanent halt."

Sen. Jim DeMint:
202-224-6121

Sen. Tom Coburn
202-224-5754

The official website for museum

http://www.nwhm.org/

Don't Ban Abortion Coverage - Tell Washington NOW

From Raising Women's Voices:

 

Dear friend,
 
"I have cancer and I'm pregnant.  Seven days after I found out I was pregnant, I also found out I have a new lesion on my bladder.  I know the drill already; I've been through chemo and had pieces of my bladder removed last time around.  The doctors say I could continue this pregnancy – and I really WANT to have this baby.  But, they also say that it means I'll have to delay fighting the cancer, which is a big risk.  I already have a daughter and I don't want her to grow up without her mom.  I want to do everything I can to protect my health, so I decided to have an abortion." – Kara*, Pennsylvania
 
Kara is not alone. Go to www.TellWashingtonNow.com to hear the stories of other women who have serious medical problems AND are pregnant. What makes matters worse is that Kara – as someone whose pre-existing conditions make her "high risk" for insurance companies – is also uninsured.  
 
Health care reform was supposed to help women like Kara by providing affordable coverage through new Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plans.  But, government rules for these plans say abortion won't be covered if it would "only" safeguard a woman's health. Tell HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to change the rules and give Kara the care she needs.
 
We only have until Tuesday at midnight to tell Washington that politics about abortion shouldn't deny sick women the care they need.
 
Women like Kara are the very people who need health insurance coverage the most.  And because of their pre-existing conditions, these women face thousands of dollars in hospital bills to end pregnancies that are threatening their health.  These are costs that families can't afford – the reason for health care reform in the first place.
 
Cancer, kidney disease, heart disease, multiple sclerosis…these are just a few of the serious medical conditions that can complicate a pregnancy and force families to make heart-wrenching decisions. Let's not make it even more difficult for these families by denying them the health coverage they need.
 
Tell Washington: Health insurance should safeguard women's health, not ban abortion coverage!
 
-- Raising Women's Voices in collaboration with Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health, National Network of Abortion Funds, Reproductive Health Technologies Project and Words of Choice.
 
P.S. Help us spread the word – forward this message to your friends!
 
P.P.S. Want to make an even bigger impact?  Donate now.
 
*Name changed to protect privacy.  All stories are real.

Urge Democratic Women House Members to Sign Letter: Alan Simpson Must Go

Urge Democratic Women House Members to Sign Letter: Alan Simpson Must Go Tell Your Representative To... After taking action, please support our work! By now, you've probably heard about the insulting remarks made by former Wyoming Senator Alan Simpson (R), co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, describing Social Security as a "milk cow with 310 million tits." Last month NOW called on President Obama to relieve Simpson of his duties on the commission, while a number of Congress members called for him to resign or be fired. However, the president has yet to ask Simpson to step down. Now, Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) are circulating a letter asking the president to remove Simpson from the commission. They aim to get every Democratic woman member of the House to sign this letter. Take Action NOW: If your House member is a woman Democrat, please call her or use NOW's sample message to urge her to sign on to the Woolsey/DeLauro letter. Background: Simpson Unfit for Job - Former Wyoming Senator Alan Simpson, who is a longtime opponent of Social Security, touched off a firestorm recently with comments made in an email to Ashley Carson, then Executive Director of OWL, the Older Women's League. Simpson's foul-mouthed insults showed that he is an intemperate and biased individual who should not be in a position of responsibility. Simpson has an extensive history of disrespect and even contempt for women and seniors, notably with his statement posed to Anita Hill during the 1991 Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings that she would face "real discrimination, different from the sexual kind" in Washington if she testified regarding claims of sexual harassment from Thomas. In his recent emailed comments to Carson at OWL, Simpson expressed a belief that advocating for women is not "honest work." Simpson has also described seniors as "greedy geezers" who "don't care a whit about their grandchildren, not a whit." Simpson also alienated veterans by claiming that costs for their disability care contribute to our fiscal mess. Misunderstands Social Security - As NOW noted in our Aug. 25 alert, Simpson wrote Carson: "I've spent many years in public life trying to stabilize [Social Security] while people like you babble into the vapors about 'disgusting attempts at ageism and sexism' and all the rest of that crap." Further remarks on the PBS NewsHour shortly after being appointed to the commission revealed Simpson's intent to cut benefits when he stated: "You have two choices…you either raise the payroll tax or decrease the benefits or start affluence testing. The rest of it is B.S….This country is going to the bowwows unless we deal with entitlements, Social Security and Medicare." Simpson shows that he does not understand even the basic facts about Social Security. Social Security Unrelated to National Debt - That Social Security has nothing to do with the federal debt is clear -- but apparently Simpson doesn't know that. Social Security is funded through a direct payroll deduction and does not contribute one penny to the national deficit. In fact, as has been reported, Simpson expressed surprise upon hearing that Social Security currently has a $2.5 trillion surplus and has enough funds to pay all benefits through 2037. Without Social Security, 42.5 Percent of Elderly Would be Poor - Another set of facts apparently lost on Simpson is that Social Security lifts more than 20 million persons above the poverty line; a third of those are under age 65, including 1.1 million children. Fifty-eight percent of Social Security recipients age 62 and older are women; for half that number Social Security is 50 percent of their income. For many millions of older women who have no pensions and have exhausted their savings, Social Security is their only source of income. Cutting benefits, including increasing the retirement age to 70, would have a disproportionately harsh impact on older women. NOW vigorously opposes this. Simpson Must Go; Commission Should Re-Assess Mission - Members of Congress -- like Reps. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Jerold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Woolsey and DeLauro -- along with advocates for seniors and veterans, have called for Simpson's resignation. The AARP also urged Simpson's removal, saying that he has lost the credibility needed to head this commission. The former senator did apologize to Ashley Carson for his hot-headed remarks, but that is not enough. Simpson must go, and the fiscal commission should undertake a thorough re-assessment of its mission and future recommendations on how to reduce the national debt. Cutting benefits under Social Security should, in no case, be part of those recommendations. Take Action NOW: Please help by sending a message to all Democratic women members of the House to sign the Woolsey/DeLauro "Dear Colleague" letter to President Obama. This letter asks him to remove Alan Simpson from the fiscal commission and further advocates against any cuts in Social Security benefits, including raising the retirement age to 70. and then

TAKE ACTION: More Actions | Find Your Nearest Chapter | Tell a Friend | NOW.org SUPPORT NOW: Donate to NOW | Join NOW

Metro New York Health Care for All Campaign CALENDAR OF EVENTS

*Wed. Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m. – Health Care on the Air: "The New Health Care Law at Six Months"; guests Matt Bishop (Young Invincibles), and Charles Bell (Consumers Union); broadcast over cable Ch. 56 (Time-Warner) or Ch. 83 (RCN) in Manhattan or streamed live at www.mnn.org; past programs available for streaming at www.metrohealthcare.org; more info at 212-925-1829.

 

Mon. Sept. 27, 1 p.m. – WBAI Health Action: "The Road Ahead for New York City's Health and Hospitals Corp."; guests include Moira Dolan (District Council 37 AFSMCE) and Judy Wessler (Commission on the Public's Health System), at 99.5 FM in NYC or www.wbai.org; past programs available for streaming or downloads from website; more info at 212-925-1829.

 

(* indicates events or groups in which we play a leadership or sponsoring role.)

 

 

Metro New York Health Care for All Campaign

40 Worth Street, Suite 802

New York, NY  10013

212-925-1829

www.metrohealthcare.org

Calling all teens in NYC! Apply for the TORCH peer education program!

Are you a teen in New York City? Want to get paid to teach your peers about sexual health, reproductive rights, community organizing, advocacy and much more? Apply for NARAL Pro-Choice New York’s TORCH Peer Leadership and Advocacy program!

TORCH is a nationally recognized peer education program that trains high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are interested in reproductive rights and related topics to give presentations to other youth groups throughout New York City.

Participants must be available to attend trainings in our Manhattan office from 4-6 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays from December through June.

TORCH provides young people with a community in which to build their self esteem, learn leadership skills, discuss reproductive health issues, and educate themselves and others to make intelligent decisions.

The application deadline is October 18, 2010 so APPLY TODAY!

Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Too Wrong for Too Long

Support NOW's DADT Repeal!

This week, Senate Republicans blocked our high hopes of repealing the unjust Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) amendment, forcing integrity to take a backseat to ignorance and hate. The seventeen-year-old policy, which contradicts the constitutional rights of all lesbian and gay servicemembers, is overwhelmingly opposed throughout the country -- by both military personnel and civilians back home. But Republicans (and a few Democrats) in the Senate refuse to end it once and for all.

We're not going to let down our servicewomen and men, but we can't do it alone.  Donate today to stand with NOW and tell Congress that they've been too wrong for too long.  Just because the US Senate has failed doesn't mean that NOW is giving up. Thousands of our activists and supporters around the county have called and emailed their Senators -- often meeting with them personally during the August break -- to press the case for LGBT equality in the military. 

This "witch hunt" policy has already resulted in the discharge of more than 14,000 service members, with an estimated 66,000 LGBT people currently serving in the armed forces and at risk of expulsion. It not only depletes the number of willing and able American troops, but the very ideal of equality on which our nation is based.

This fight is nowhere near over. Join with NOW and take a stand for progress and a future without discrimination. Please contribute today.

NOW will continue to keep the pressure on the Senate until justice and reason prevail! We will continue to keep our activists up to date on the latest developments in the effort to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and our activists will continue to press for a scheduled vote during the approaching lame-duck session and the next congressional term if need be.

Please join with me in refusing to allow the shameful views of an elected few destroy the hopes and rights of so many. Contribute to NOW today.

For equality,

Terry O'Neill

From Raising Women's Voices: An important day for women's health: provisions of PPACA that go into effect today

A new resource from Raising Women's Voices - What Women Get: The (updated) Top 10 List
Today marks the first major milestone for national health reform. It's been six months since President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) into law. Today is also the day that many significant changes start to take effect.

RWV has prepared a resource for you to use and share that explains all the provisions of PPACA that go into effect today. Some of them include:

• Insurance companies will be prohibited from canceling your policy if you get sick. As a result of the new law, insurance companies cannot cancel (rescind) your policy if you get sick or if your employer made an unintentional mistake on your paperwork.
• Insurance companies will no longer be able to set lifetime limits or "unreasonable" annual limits on the amount of medical care they will cover under existing policies. The new law will prevent insurance companies from setting lifetime limits on the dollar amount of health care they will cover, and then ending your coverage when you hit that limit because of a serious illness or accident.
• All new insurance plans will be required to cover preventive health care and screenings (such as Pap smears and mammograms) without any cost sharing (like co-payments or deductibles). The new law requires all new private insurance plans written after mid-September 2010, or any existing plans to which substantial changes have been made, to cover a long list of preventive services without any cost sharing (including co-payments, coinsurance and deductibles for all expenses that must be met before coverage kicks in). Unfortunately, contraception is not yet included on this list. Many thanks to our allies who signed the RWV letter to HHS on this topic.
• Children with pre-existing conditions cannot be denied coverage. Employer-based health plans and new individual plans won't be allowed to deny or exclude coverage for your children if they are under age 19 and have a pre-existing condition and/or a disability.

These are only a few of the new provisions of PPACA that take effect starting today! Please see the full factsheet HERE for all the details including when and how these provisions go into effect.
 

---

RWV Launches Young Adult Campaign: Young Women Get Involved!
Today is an important day for young women, as well. Young women are more likely to be uninsured than women in any other age group and today they will begin to benefit will benefit from a new rule. Starting today, young adults can remain on their parents' health insurance policy as a dependent until age 26.
 
If you're a young adult or the parent of a young adult then there's lots of important information you must learn in order to take advantage of this great provision in the health reform law. Head over to our website for all the details, including a list of fast facts to keep you informed.
 
If you're a young person and you realize that this is important information that should be shared, you're right!  RWV is looking for smart young people to help us get the word out and we've got some resources to help you do it! We want you to gather some of your friends and classmates to host an event on your campus. Below are the only two things you'll need to make it happen.
 
First, download our event planning guide HERE. It explains how to plan an event, who to call and provides a factsheet to use.
 
Second, download the PowerPoint presentation HERE.  It's all set up for you to use at your event. It includes all the information you'll need to share and a script in the notes section for you to use. The power-point presentation highlights the most important points in the health care law, and the notes and resources have more detailed information about each of the slides.
 
Use these two resources together to help you host a really successful and informative event on your campus. If you have questions for RWV, don't hesitate to email us HERE.

NOW News & Action Summary: March on Washington, Pay Equity Vote Coming Up!

National Organization for Women: News & Action Summary September 22, 2010 IN THIS ISSUE: NOW Condemns Senate Failure to Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell NOW Endorses Oct. 2 March on Washington Paycheck Fairness Vote Coming Up! Anti-Abortion Rights Guidelines Released: NOW Intensifies Call for Obama to Live Up to Campaign Promises NOW Applauds Warren Appointment NOW Cheers Maloney, Kuster and All Primary Winners NOW Condemns Senate Failure to Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell NOW condemns the Senate's failure yesterday to repeal the U.S. military's discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) policy. This policy, which bars lesbians and gay men from serving openly in the military, has resulted in the unjust discharge of more than 14,000 service members. Read more. NOW Endorses Oct. 2 March on Washington: One Nation Working Together On Oct. 2, thousands will flood into Washington, D.C., to march as One Nation Working Together. NOW has endorsed this march and encourages our supporters to stand up for education, employment and equality for all by participating. Learn more. Contact Your Senators - Paycheck Fairness Vote Coming Up! We expect the Senate to vote soon on critical pay equity legislation. NOW activists should call AND email their senators, urging them to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act -- which the House adopted in early 2009. Take action. Anti-Abortion Rights Model Guidelines Released: NOW Intensifies Call for Obama to Live Up to Campaign Promises The Obama administration has released model guidelines for the implementation of anti-abortion rights provisions tacked on to the Affordable Care Act in order to secure the votes of a handful of religious fundamentalists in Congress. NOW remains clear that women in the U.S. have fewer abortion rights today than we did one year ago, and the situation will be dramatically worsened by the time health insurance exchanges are up and running in 2014. Read more. NOW Applauds Appointment of Elizabeth Warren as Special Advisor for Consumer Financial Protection Bureau "Elizabeth Warren is the best advocate for consumers," said NOW President Terry O'Neill. "It is only a shame that Warren is being named 'special advisor' because President Obama fears the Republicans will block her confirmation in the Senate." Read more. NOW Cheers Carolyn Maloney, Ann McLane Kuster and All Endorsed Winners from Tuesday Primaries "Proven legislators like Carolyn Maloney need allies on Capitol Hill," said NOW/PAC Chair Terry O'Neill. "I'm thrilled at the opportunity to send her reinforcements, like the staunchly feminist Ann McLane Kuster." Read more. Urge Democratic Women House Members to Sign Letter: Alan Simpson Must Go In the last summary, NOW asked you to join us in calling on President Obama to remove Alan Simpson from the fiscal commission. Simpson's ugly attack on Social Security, the people who advocate for it, and those who depend on it demonstrated that he is unfit to serve in a position that could impact this critical program. Now, Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) is circulating a letter asking the president to relieve Simpson of his potentially damaging duties. Woolsey aims to get every Democratic woman member of the House to sign this letter. Let's help her gather those signatures! Take action NOW. We have so much work to do! NOW is dedicated to taking action to eliminate sexism and end all oppression. Your support is absolutely vital to our ability to take on the right wing and push ahead on all of our important issues. Join NOW Contribute Support CONNECT WITH NOW ONLINE Follow NOW on Twitter Like NOW on Facebook NOW READ THIS... KFC Pays College Women for Ad Space on Buns USA Today Constitution Does Not Ban Sex Bias, Scalia Says San Francisco Chronicle Five Myths about 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Washington Post Witnesses Say Cops Make Rape Cases Go Away Women's eNews Exclusive: Elizabeth Warren in Her Own Words Salon Arizona's Anti-Immigrant Law Hits Women the Hardest Huffington Post Congo Rapes Spotlight New 'Conflict Minerals' Law Women's eNews Reading Between the Lines: Women's Poverty in the United States (PDF) Legal Momentum The 14 Worst Toys for Girls Huffington Post Read more on NOW Read This GET INVOLVED: Take Action | Join NOW | Find Your Nearest Chapter SUPPORT NOW: Support NOW's Work | Monthly Giving | Shop Amazon STAY CONNECTED: NOW.org | RSS | Say It, Sister! | The Media Hall of Shame | Twitter | Facebook

Sat, 9/25: Volunteers for Women's Health Clinic Defense Needed

Local Women's Health Clinic Under Siege:
Volunteers Needed This Saturday Morning, Sept. 25th!

Protect Women's Access to Health Care.
Let's Stand Up to Anti-Choice Protesters!

NOW-NYC is looking for volunteers to join us this
Saturday, September 25th from 10 am - 12 pm at Dr. Emily's Women's Health Clinic in the Bronx.  Join NOW-NYC and be a strong pro-choice voice.  Together, we'll stand up against the "40 days for life" protesters that are trying to intimidate women from getting the health care they need. 

We need volunteers to:
-Hold signs supporting choice and women's health
-Support women entering and exiting the clinic (wear red if you want to be a clinic escort)
-Observe that clinic access laws are being followed

Call 212.627.9895 or email brielle@nownyc.org if you plan to attend.

Directions:
Dr. Emily's Women's Health Clinic
560 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY
(E. 149th St 6 Station or BX 19 bus)

If you can't attend this Saturday, but you're interested in volunteering on a future weekend (through October 30) please send us an email.

NOW Condemns Senate Failure to Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Trouble reading this email? View it online For Immediate Release Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116 NOW Condemns Senate Failure to Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell September 22, 2010 The National Organization for Women condemns the Senate's failure yesterday to repeal the U.S. military's discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) policy. This policy, which bars lesbians and gay men from serving openly in the military, has resulted in the unjust discharge of more than 14,000 service members. "Women and men who dedicated their lives to serving their country have had their careers ended -- not because of their job performance but because of their sexual orientation," said NOW President Terry O'Neill. "The tide has officially turned on this issue -- 57 percent of people now say that openly gay service members should be allowed to serve in the military. Those generals and legislators who cling to this unfair policy are fighting a losing battle." The Senate could not break a Republican-orchestrated filibuster designed to block debate on the annual defense authorization bill, to which the DADT repeal was attached. "The House managed to pass a version of the defense bill that included a repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Why can't the Senate do the right thing?" asked O'Neill. Although such a repeal would not have taken effect prior to the certification of the much-awaited Pentagon report on implementation of a repeal, due Dec. 1, NOW repeatedly has stated that further study is not warranted, and President Obama should use his authority to suspend any further discharges until the policy can be formally repealed. "Starting right now, not another service member should lose their job due to bigotry or intolerance," said O'Neill. "I want to see our leaders stand up for the principles of equality and justice. As a matter of fact, six weeks out from the midterm elections is a perfect time to put these values into practice." ### NOW.org | Press Room | Support NOW's Work Subscribe |

 

Contact Your Senators - Paycheck Fairness Vote Coming Up

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Contact Your Senators - Paycheck Fairness Vote Coming Up! Tell Your Senator To... After taking action, please support our work! Paycheck Fairness Bill Before Senate - We have just learned that the Senate will vote on critical pay equity legislation this coming week. NOW activists should call AND email their senators, urging them to pass S.3772, the Paycheck Fairness Act (PFA) -- which the House adopted in early 2009. S.3772 is sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, with 27 co-sponsors. Send an email message urging your senators to do the right thing by voting for this very important bill. To really drive home your message, follow up your email with a phone call to both senators with the simple message: "Vote for the Paycheck Fairness Act!" Beginning Saturday, Sep. 18, you can dial free of charge 1-877-667-6650. Take Action NOW! BACKGROUND: Gender Wage Gap Stagnant - Newly analyzed data from the U.S. Bureau of Census for 2009 show the wage gap remaining at 23 percent, with a female-to-male earnings ratio of 77 percent, down from 77.8 in 2007 -- the highest recorded. Median annual earnings for full-time, year-round employed women were $36,278, compared with $47,127 for men. Additionally, white women were paid only 75 cents for each dollar paid to white men; African American women were paid 62 cents for every dollar paid to white men and for Hispanic/Latina women, it was 53 cents, according to the Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR). More Data of Concern - The Bureau of Census also reports that fewer women -- 2.4 million -- had full-time, year round jobs in 2009, compared to 2007, when the recession began. The recession has forced 1.3 million women into part-time or part-year jobs. IWPR also reported that 360,000 new female-headed households were created in 2009. Pay Equity Crucial During Recessions - Since women tend to be hurt "first and worst" during economic downturns, new legislation strengthening pay equity laws is needed now more than ever. The data show that an unprecedented number of women now are family breadwinners due to rising unemployment among men -- making pay equity vital not only to family economic security but to the nation's economic recovery as well. Bill Would Close Loopholes, Collect Detailed Pay Data - The Paycheck Fairness Act will close loopholes in the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and strengthen it by creating incentives for employers to follow the law. Additionally, the Paycheck Fairness Act would assist women in effectively negotiating for better pay and promotion, expand skill training for girls and women, restart the research on the gender wage gap, and require wage data to be disaggregated by gender, race and ethnicity to ensure that businesses are providing equal pay. Of critical importance is a provision in the act that would prohibit retaliation against employees when salary information is shared, plus strengthen federal outreach and enforcement efforts. PFA Already Passed by House - President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act at the beginning of the 111th Congress, but the Ledbetter bill was only a down-payment on making real progress in closing the wage gap. The next crucial step is for the Senate to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 3772); the House already passed the measure by an even stronger bipartisan vote (256-163) than the Ledbetter bill (247-171). Take Action NOW! and then

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