Add your organization to VAWA support letter TODAY

PLEASE ADD YOUR ORGANIZATION TO THIS LETTER AND FORWARD TO ALL YOUR COALITION PARTNERS:

Tell Congress They Have to Pass An Inclusive VAWA NOW! NTF VAWA sign on letter deadline end of the day,Thursday,7/26.

Here's something easy for your organization to do that will help send a message to Congress that they MUST begin work on VAWA NOW. Join hundreds of organizations in signing on to a letter that tells Congress just how urgent it is to work on passing a real VAWA NOW.

VAWA ALERT: Tell Congress your thoughts through these Twitter and Facebook tips

Today's New York Times Op Ed said it all:  "With Congress just days away from its August break, House Republicans have to decide which is more important: protecting victims of domestic violence or advancing the harsh antigay and anti-immigrant sentiments of some on their party's far right. At the moment, harshness is winning."  We need to tell Congress this is outrageous!  Congress must do its job:  if they don't pass VAWA, they can't go home. As The Hill editorial today tells Congress: do your job-you're lucky to have one.   

Congress has just a few days to get to work on VAWA before they leave for the entire month of August – and then only a few short days in session before the congressional session ends on October 1.  Please take 5 minutes to call, write or tweet – to your own Representative and both Senators  in your state!

Five things to do for VAWA in the next few hours and days

From Pat Reuss of The National Organization for Women

1. Watch C-SPAN 2 TODAY - Tuesday, July 24^{th  -}  4:45 PM ET/ 1:45 PM PT (this may change depending on floor schedule).  Senators Murray, Boxer, and Blumenthal to Speak on Senate Floor in Support of Bipartisan Senate VAWA Bill

2. Immediate action needed. NEW VAWA SIGN-ON LETTER insisting on a "real" VAWA that serves all victims and includes important improvements to the landmark 1994 VAWA.  Add your organization and forward to all your national, state and local coalition partners.  Deadline Thursday, July 26, end of the day.  NTF VAWA sign on letter.  You can add your name and org directly on this website.

Suggested reading:

Anti-Abortion Rights Terrorism Is Here. Will You Help?

We still need your help this week -- please join us if you can!

Domestic terrorist group Operation Rescue/Operation Save America is staging another national mobilization against abortion rights in Charlotte beginning Saturday, July 21, through Saturday, July 28. Join NOW activists and allies to stand proudly and peacefully for women's fundamental right to choose abortion.
During the entire week, activists will be needed from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. outside of the Family Reproductive Health located at 700 E. Hebron Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28273.
Bring water and snacks to every shift. We also encourage you to be friendly and buy local for your meals.
Questions? Contact Charlotte NOW at cltnow@yahoo.com

Violence Against Women Act one minutes on senate floor Today at 4:45 pm

United States Senate

FOR IMMMEDIATE RELEASE                       

CONTACT: Matt McAlvanah (Murray) 202-224-2834

Zachary Coile (Boxer) 202-224-8120      
Nu Wexler (Blumenthal) 202-224-6452

Tuesday, July 24^th, 2012                                                               

TODAY: Senators Murray, Boxer, and Blumenthal to Speak on Senate Floor in Support of Bipartisan Senate VAWA Bill

Three months after the Senate passed bipartisan VAWA, Senators will urge Speaker Boehner to ignore ideological distractions and pass inclusive bill

Gloria Steinem sends message for the Paid Sick Days Coalition

Hi,

I don't have to tell you that working women are under attack. The economy is putting a tighter and tighter squeeze on our ability to make ends meet. And too many politicians seem deaf, or even hostile, to the needs of working women.

Last Wednesday, hundreds of women activists here in New York City did something about it. We're uniting to call on the New York City Council to pass the paid sick days law – because no one should ever have to lose pay or even lose their job just because they or their child gets sick.

I'm asking you to join us:

Sign our petition calling on the New York City Council to pass the paid sick days bill. <http://signon.org/sign/pass-the-nyc-paid-sick?source=s.em.cr&r_by=1349952&mailing_id=5175>   <http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=o5mmvhAxKrXuDVXmeoNIAH4G4lHa7cQC>

Call for Passage of Real Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): All Victims and Survivors Deserve Protection

July 20, 2012 Take Action: Please call AND email your member of Congress right away, and urge him or her to oppose the victim-shaming, perp-shielding House version of the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization, and support the inclusive, bipartisan Senate version of this lifesaving legislation. Time is slipping away, so please make those calls and send those emails right away!

Join the AIDS 2012 conference free in DC or online!

Join thousands of activists in Washington, DC or online starting this Sunday, July 22nd for the 2012 International AIDS Conference! You can find information about in person registration here, but there is also a parallel and FREE "Global Village," where advocates and activists from around the world will gather, have booths, hold workshops, and share ideaYou s. Some workshops will be streamed live, so check out the schedule online. If you are in the DC area and are looking to volunteer, the NAMES quilt project still has spots available.

Anti-Abortion Rights Terrorism Is Coming. Will You Help?

Anti-Abortion Rights Terrorism Is Coming. Will You Help? July 18, 2012 Domestic terrorist group Operation Rescue/Operation Save America is staging another national mobilization against abortion rights in Charlotte beginning Saturday, July 21, through Saturday, July 28. Join NOW activists and allies to stand proudly and peacefully for women's fundamental right to choose abortion. During the entire week, activists will be needed from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. outside of the Family Reproductive Health located at 700 E. Hebron Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28273. Bring water and snacks to every shift. We also encourage you to be friendly and buy local for your meals. Questions? Contact Charlotte NOW at cltnow@yahoo.com.

Obama, It's Time to Protect Immigrant Women

From Women's eNews:

http://womensenews.org/story/immigration/120715/obama-its-time-protect-immigrant-women

Obama, It's Time to Protect Immigrant Women

By Mallika Dutt

WeNews commentator

Monday, July 16, 2012

Obama reached out a hand to "DREAM" youth. Now it's time to help immigrant women, especially mothers. After the passage of laws like Arizona's SB 1070 and its copycats, many women and their families are struggling to survive in a dangerous underground limbo.

(WOMENSENEWS)-- As an undocumented immigrant, Elvia knew it was risky to go to the police. But after 30 years in an abusive relationship, she finally reached her breaking point. So Elvia spoke up.

URGENT: Collecting signatures from survivors in support of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

From Pat Reuss of The National Organization for Women (NOW)

Please forward to your networks, including networks of college students

DEADLINE for signatures is Monday, July 16, 2012 by 8pm EDT

Campus Survivors' Letter to Congress Urging Immediate Reauthorization of VAWA with Key Campus Provisions

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEmail=true&formkey=dGFVZk9rYTZhZ3I2TlBFZmRkTTV0dEE6MQ

We are asking people who were the victims of dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking on a college campus, as well as those who were victims of campus violence related to or connected to these crimes, to join us in advocating for the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Feminist books

Please add your favorites to the list under the comments section.  Thanks!

From Kathleen Sloan of the National NOW Board:

FEMINIST LITERATURE

1. Herstory – “When God was a Woman,” Merlin Stone
2. Patriarchy – “The Macho Paradox,” Jackson Katz

100 Young Adult Books for the Feminist Reader: From Bitch staff

1. Estrella's Quinceañera by Malin Alegria
2. How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez

Wed, July 11: Women's Groups Organizing to Stop War on Women

NOW Denounces Male-led Congressional Push for D.C. 20-Week Abortion Ban

For Immediate Release Contact: Latoya Veal, 202-628-8669, ext. 116 NOW Denounces Male-led Congressional Push for D.C. 20-Week Abortion Ban Statement of NOW President Terry O'Neill July 10, 2012 When will the radical right-wing men in Congress let up? Today the House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to mark up H.R. 3803, the D.C. 20-Week Abortion Ban.

Time is running out for VAWA this year - if everyone makes 5 calls this week, we can get it done

From Pat Reuss of the National Organization for Women (NOW)

  

Please forward widely!

IT'S JULY 9^{TH  -}  time for the House and Senate to solve the procedural logjam and  get the REAL VAWA passed before they go on recess for their August vacation. 

TAKE ACTION:  CALL YOUR OWN SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE AND TELL THEM TO DEMAND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS SOLVE THE BLUE SLIP PROCEDURAL HOLDUP OR WE'LL GIVE THEM THE PINK SLIP IN NOVEMBER.

2012 NOW Conference Sends Attendees Home Inspired to Defeat War on Women

For Immediate Release
Contact: Latoya Veal, 202-628-8669, ext. 116

2012 NOW Conference Sends Attendees Home
Inspired to Defeat War on Women

July 2, 2012
This past weekend, more than 500 women's rights activists descended on Baltimore, Md., for the 2012 National NOW Conference. After an exciting weekend that featured a moving address from Eve Ensler, Tony award-winning playwright of the Vagina Monologues, conference attendees left the event informed, empowered and ready to make an impact in their communities.