More Good News: Girls Gone Wild goes bankrupt

Maybe the war on women is turning! More good news today, after VAWA passed. 

After Years Of Exploiting Women, Girls Gone Wild Goes Bust

Major Victory for All Women: House Passes Inclusive VAWA

YOU DID IT: Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) passes House

Breaking News:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/02/28/violence-against-women-congress-obama/1953527/

A big thanks to each one of you who called/posted on your Facebook/Twitter page and did more to pass the inclusive Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The House just defeated the terrible House version of VAWA and passed the Senate version. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

What many of you may not know is that The National Organization for Women (NOW) was one of the strongest forces in getting VAWA passed in 1994, and worked hard to get the proper VAWA reauthorized. A special thanks to Pat Reuss of NOW, who is on the national task force which kept/keeps working on VAWA. 

www.4vawa.org

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) ALERT - We can WIN - URGENT action needed TODAY!!!

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

February 27, 2013

URGENT – ACTION NEEDED – PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY

ACLU: Despite Legal Obligations, Over Half of Indian Health Services Facilities Reportedly Offer No Emergency Contraception

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 26, 2013

National Organization for Women News: VAWA, NOW Elections, 2013 Conference, NOW Store, Ms. Magazine, One Billion Rising

Tell House You Are Not Fooled by GOP's Stealth Anti-Woman Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

Immediate action needed to defend Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

From Pat Reuss of The National Organization for Women:

February 26, 2013

Please forward widely!

House Republicans introduce partisan VAWA that fails to protect all victims

  

EVENT: March 1 and 3: Words of Choice live ny and live streaming everywhere

http://wordsofchoice.org/upcoming-performances/

Friday, March 1 at 7 pm, EST time

Saturday, March 2 at 3 pm, EST time

Groups and individuals around the country are invited to participate in a LIVE streaming national conversation on choice! And the arts! You can WATCH THIS LIVE from any computer with Internet access! We perform LIVE in New York — you join in via the Internet!

NY Gov Cuomo Bucks Tide With Bill to Ease Limits on Abortion

Once again, my beloved New York is ahead of everyone else, actually easing limits on abortion, instead of making it more difficult. Please help make this act a reality by helping with the Women's Equality Act in NY. Ask us how.

From The NY Times:

Cuomo Bucks Tide With Bill to Ease Limits on Abortion

House Leadership Blocking Inclusive Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Again.

NTF statement on the House VAWA legislation filed today

From Pat Reuss of National Organization for Women:

These links are from me and are not part of the NTF statement but I found them useful.  Republican House VAWA  

section-by-section analysis   Huff Post on House Republican VAWA

February 22, 2013

Please forward widely

Today is International Mother Language Day, commemorating Bangladeshi activism against colonialism

The United Nations marked February 21 the International Mother Language Day. The international organization chose this day to commemorate Bangladeshi activism against Pakistani colonialism on Feb 21, 1952. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mother_Language_Day

It seems especially prudent now, as thousands of Muslim protesters in Bangladesh are gathering in what many are calling Bangladesh's Tahrir square, to oppose Islamist politics. They are specifically calling for justice against one of the minority political parties in Bangladesh, which is a sexist, terrorist, Islamist party filled with war criminals convicted of rape and murder. Unfortunately, major media is ignoring the huge protests, since it's easier to paint all Muslims as terrorists than admit that 1.6 billion people in the world cannot be the same. Most Muslims I know want separation of religion and state, including me.

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2013/02/2013219102023977820.html

ACTION ALERT: Stop legislation that would kill internet privacy

CISPA is back.

Remember when we defeated the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) last year? Well, it's back with a vengeance. The leading Republican and Democrat on the U.S. House Intelligence subcommittee re-introduced the cybersnooping bill this week.

 

We beat it once. We can beat it again. Click here to tell your lawmakers to support privacy and oppose CISPA.

 

To refresh your memory, Demand Progress co-founder Aaron Swartz called CISPA 1.0 a Patriot Act for the Internet. But now they've rebooted the effort, and Rolling Stone says that with CISPA 2.0, "Congress is trying to kill Internet privacy again."

 

The bill gives companies like Verizon and AT&T protection from customers' lawsuits when they give the Feds information about your Internet use.

 

Amazingly, Congress and big businesses are claiming they need to violate our privacy to protect us from Iranian and Chinese hackers, but they refuse to put any basic privacy protections in writing.

 

CISPA would undermine our basic rights and jeopardize our privacy online. Click here to tell your lawmakers to oppose to it.

 

CISPA sponsor Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger even said at a hearing this week that he didn't see any reason why businesses needed to hide your personal data from the government.

 

Already over 200,000 Demand Progress members have contacted Congress to oppose this bill, but we need your help again.

 

Help us defend Internet privacy from the latest assault by Congress and big business.

 

Click here to tell your lawmakers to oppose CISPA 2.0

Please urge your friends to take action by forwarding this email or using these links:

	If you're already on Facebook, click here to share with your friends.
	If you're already on Twitter, click here to tweet about the campaign: Tweet

Thanks,

-Demand Progress

Paid for by Demand Progress (DemandProgress.org) and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Contributions are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

From The Inner City: Leading A New Generation Of Muslim Americans

http://www.npr.org/2013/02/16/172191234/from-the-inner-city-leading-a-new-generation-of-muslim-americans?sc=emaf

What is alarming is that almost 50% of Americans associate Islam with violence, more than any other religion. Anyone remember the Crusades, or the violence in Ireland? This is not to single out Catholicism or Christianity, but to remind everyone that any religion, just like any institution, can be used for violence.

Tue, Feb 19th, 6pm: Women's Equality Act: making it a reality

WEA Briefing
February 19, 2013
THE PHILIPPINE CENTER
556 FIFTH AVE. BETWEEN 45TH AND 46TH STREETS
UNITED STATES
Join The Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy and NOW-NYS for a briefing and discussion on the Women's Equality Act, the 10-point plan introduced by Gov. Cuomo to advance women's rights in New York State.

Click here to RSVP.

24 Hours Only: Register for NOW Conference at Super-Low Rate!

24 Hours Only: Register for NOW Conference at Super-Low Rate!   February 19, 2013 Looking for an economical way to attend the 2013 National NOW Conference? Have we got a deal for you! For a limited time, you can register for the super-low rate of $19.66 (the year NOW was founded). That's a triple-digit savings! This special deal is only good through Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 2:00 pm Eastern, so act now. The 2013 National NOW Conference will take place July 5-7 in Chicago, Ill. This is an important year for the organization and its members -- we're holding an election for NOW's national officers, and we have many critical issues on our agenda. So register and book your hotel room early, so you won't have to worry about it later. Help pick the title for this year's Conference! As a bonus, if you register during this special deal, you'll also have the opportunity to cast your vote for the 2013 conference title -- or even suggest one of your own. So register now for $19.66, but please do so before Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 2:00 pm Eastern. Regular registration rates will kick in at that time. See you in Chicago!

ACTION ALERT: Let's get VAWA passed in the House right now!!!

From Pat Reuss of National Organization for Women:

Dear friends and hearty advocates,

 

Here are some ideas I prepared for our office and field and am sharing with all of you.  P.

 

The good news is that the House VAWA, H.R. 11, has 201 sponsors and the letter from Republicans to House leaders Boehner and Cantor has two new signatories – Reps Ted Poe (TX) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL) making that 19 Republicans supporting a "bipartisan VAWA that reaches all victims…."  See letter and signatories here

Also, V-Day is mobilizing all their U.S. "risers" to take local actions to pass VAWA before March 8, International Women's Day.

 

We must work to get the House leaders to bring up the inclusive, bipartisan Senate-passed VAWA, S. 47 – and it needs to happen in the next 2-3 weeks before all the rancor over sequestration and budget fights go into high gear.

 

Tasks:

 

1. Ask the hold-out House Dems to sponsor VAWA, H.R. 11.

Barrow, John [D-GA]                 (202) 225-2823                                           LD: hill.thomas@mail.house.gov

Lipinski, Daniel [D-IL]              (202) 225-5701               LD:brian.oszakiewski@mail.house.gov           

Matheson, Jim [D-UT]              (202) 225-3011              LD:joel.bailey@mail.house.gov              

McIntyre, Mike [D-NC]             (202) 225-2731               LD:Blair.Milligan@mail.house.gov     

Peterson, Collin [D-MN]           (202) 225-2165               LD:robin.goracke@mail.house.gov    

2. Call, and ask your members and supporters to call, the House leaders:

Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), (202) 225-0600 or 225-6205

Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), (202) 225-4000

Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), (202) 225-2915

Sample phone or email message:

I/we are asking you to support the immediate passage of the Violence Against Women Act.  It is essential that you bring up for a vote on the House floor the recently-passed (78-22) bipartisan, inclusive Senate VAWA, S. 47.  VAWA saves lives and helps rescue victims so they can survive and thrive.  The Senate VAWA addresses the needs of many vulnerable communities and I/we believe that you must bring the Senate bill up for a vote before lives and futures are lost forever. 

 

3. Look at the target list attached (which includes contact information for both the DC and district offices). Please call from your desk AND work with your members and supporters in the states and districts of the listed Republican Members. 

            a. Ask the 19 who signed the letter to take a leap of faith and ask the House leadership to take up the Senate bill

            b. Ask the 7 who voted against the Adams bill last year to sponsor H.R. 11 or sign onto the Republican letter for a bipartisan VAWA (some of these may just not like VAWA, but they need to be asked)

            c. Ask the 32 who for one reason or another care about a bipartisan bill, or one of the important provisions in the Senate bill (trafficking, tribal, LGBT and immigrant victims) to consider.

 

4.  Let's see if we can follow V-Day's lead and get VAWA passed before March 8.

 

5. If you have the stomach, read the sad nonsense of VAWA's opponents: Good critique of the right wing's pitiful attempts to oppose VAWA

Support National Organization for Women (NOW) by Shopping at Amazon

Do you shop at Amazon already? Just start from this page, and Any purchase you make through Amazon will benefit NOW. You don't have to spend any extra money. Thanks!

http://www.now.org/store/amazon.html?srce=aznwln

My 1 Billion Rising interview on Democracy NOW

I am so glad my friend and fellow young feminist Eleanor Streicker is on the background holding the NOW round, which I requested. We are on the video from 20 seconds to 1 minute. My husband and fellow young feminist Micah Bochart is also on the video, dancing with me.

The interviewer had a three-minute interview of me, where I urged people to join NOW and contact their Reps for the VAWA. I am grateful she included me at all.

http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2013/2/15/new_york_city_joins_one_billion_rising_to_stop_violence_against_women_we_want_power_we_want_love

VAWA ALERT! The House must take up the bipartisan Senate bill S. 47 and pass an inclusive VAWA

February 15, 2013

Please forward widely!

We're Half Way there – Now it's TIME for the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to PASS VAWA!

Contact your Representative while they are in district next week!

NOW and One Billion Rising Call Attention to Violence Against Women

For Immediate Release
Contact: Press Office 202-628-8669, ext. 123

NOW and One Billion Rising Call Attention to Violence Against Women
Statement of NOW President Terry O'Neill

February 14, 2013

Today, women and men around the world are rising and dancing to end violence against women and girls. The National Organization for Women is a proud partner in the One Billion Rising actions organized by Vagina Monologues author and global activist Eve Ensler.

Join me at a screening and discussion about Charlotte Bunch

PRESS RELEASE

February 2013
 
Passionate Politics: The Life and Work of Charlotte Bunch
will screen in New York City in celebration of International Women's Month

NEW YORK (February 14, 2013) – JOYCE WARSHOW FILMS is proud to announce the screenings of the highly-acclaimed documentary Passionate Politics: The Life and Work of Charlotte Bunch at GMHC, Two Moon Art House and Bluestockings Radical Books in celebration of International Women's Month.

Passionate Politics is a one-hour documentary that profiles activist Charlotte Bunch, from idealistic young civil rights organizer to lesbian activist to internationally recognized leader of a campaign that put women's right on the global human rights agenda.

Thu, Feb 14: Join us at One Billion Rising events

I will be at the following FREE events along with other young feminists, including my husband Micah, Nicole and others. Can you join us?

Thu, Feb 14th

6pm: ONE BILLION RISING flash mob at Union Square

http://www.onebillionrising.org/page/event/detail/startarising/4jvxq

8pm: One Billion Rising main event at Hammerstein Ballroom

http://onebillionrising.org/risenyc

NOW Salutes Senate Vote on Violence Against Women Act Calls on House to Follow Lead and Pass Inclusive VAWA

For Immediate Release
Contact: Press Office 202-628-8669, ext. 116

NOW Salutes Senate Vote on Violence Against Women Act
Calls on House to Follow Lead and Pass Inclusive VAWA
Statement of NOW President Terry O'Neill

February 12, 2013
The National Organization for Women lauds today's Senate vote to pass an inclusive and long-overdue reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Sat, Feb 16: Policy, Politics and Power the Road to Equity...A Conversation with Black and Latino Women

Policy, Politics and Power the Road to Equity A Conversation with Black and Latino Women Saturday, February 16, 2013 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Convention Center Room 6

Tell the NY State Legislature to Pass the Governor's Reproductive Health Act

Take Action! Governor Cuomo Supports This! The National Organization for Women-New York State (NYS-NOW) I applaud Governor Cuomo for stating bolding and loudly that his commitment to women's equality is on the forefront of his agenda.  The Women's Equality Act was one of the centerpieces of the Governor's speech as he delivered the State of the State address in the Empire State Plaza.  A major focus of his plan is to pass the Reproductive Health Act.

Help end gun violence: Sign petition to invest in mental health

Mental health services are greatly needed in New York. Please take the time to sign the following two petitions to increase the services provided by Mental Health Counselors. 

http://www.change.org/petitions/the-new-york-state-legislature-amend-scopes-of-practice-of-licensed-mh-practitioners-to-include-diagnosis 

http://www.change.org/petitions/federal-government-re-medicare-and-veterans-mental-health-services-include-lmhcs-in-federal-funded-mental-health-services?utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=url_share&utm_campaign=url_share_before_sign 

Please forward these links to friends, family, and colleagues. Thank you!

Fugitive alleged LAPD-killer is first drone target on U.S. soil

This is disgusting.

http://now.msn.com/christopher-dorner-is-first-drone-target-on-us-soil#scpshrtu

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Action Alert

From Pat Reuss of National Organization for Women:

"TIPS" to prevent sexual assault on women: FOR MEN

For Feb 14 and One Billion Rising, here's an interesting twist on the tips women are always getting.

Sexual Assault Prevention Tips Guaranteed to Work
1. Don't put drugs in women's drinks.
2. When you see a woman walking by herself, leave her alone.
3. If you pull over to help a woman whose car has broken down, remember not to assault her.
4. If you are in a lift and a woman gets in, don't assault her. You know what? Don't even ogle her.
5. When you encounter a woman who is asleep, the safest course of action is to not assault her.
6. Never creep into a woman's home through an unlocked door or window, or spring out at her from between parked cars, or assault her.
7. When you lurk in bushes and doorways with criminal intentions, always wear bright clothing, wave a flashlight, or play "Boys Who Rape (Should All Be Destroyed)" by the Raveonettes on a boombox really loud, so women in the vicinity will know where to aim their flamethrowers.
8. USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM! If it is inconvenient for you to stop yourself from assaulting women, ask a trusted friend to accompany you when in public.
9. Carry a rape whistle. If you find that you are about to assault a woman, you can hand the whistle to your buddy, so s/he can blow it to call for help.
10. Give your buddy a revolver, so that when indifferent passers-by either ignore the rape whistle, or gather round to enjoy the spectacle, s/he can pistol-whip you.

Toxin-Free Cosmetics Expand Market-Share

I like to check the Environmental Working Group's website before purchasing any cosmetic or skincare product. They have a great rating system for toxic ingredients; if you cannot find the item in their 70,000 plus database, you can put in the ingredients and get a rating yourself. I copy and paste the ingredients of products not on the website by doing a Google search for the name and ingredient list.

From Women's eNews:

Toxin-Free Cosmetics Expand Market-Share

Petition for the Equal Rights Amendment

Feb. 5, 2013

A petition for Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) ratification is currently collecting signatures through the We the People petition process on the White House website.

The ERA petition has over 18,000 signatures. If the petition has 25,000 signatures by 11:59pm on February 9, the White House staff will review it, send it to the appropriate policy experts, and issue an official response. (Currently, the We the People process requires over 100,000 signatures, but the ERA petition was filed before the increased requirement.)

It is time to get the ERA back high on the national agenda. This petition asks the White House to support lifting the deadline on the original 1972 ERA. Women would only need three more states to get full rights if the deadline was lifted. Thirty-five states have already ratified the ERA. We need you to go to the White House website and sign the petition.

Sign it today. Women have waited long enough for equality.

For equality,

Terry O'Neill, President National Organization for Women

Eleanor Smeal, President Feminist Majority Foundation

Join National Organization for Women (NOW) at One Billion Rising

Feb. 4, 2013

TAKE ACTION:

Will you be one of the One Billion Rising this Valentine's Day? NOW is proud to partner with Eve Ensler, creator of The Vagina Monologues, along with more than 5,000 organizations in over 160 countries, for this worldwide event to demand an end to violence against women.

Join a V-Day event near you, or start one yourself. Dance, rally, speak, attend a reading of The Vagina Monologues and help spread awareness! Join the One Billion and rise with us!

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Alert - Photo project

February 4, 2013

Please forward widely!

GOAL: Pass VAWA in the Senate This Week!

S. 47, a strong, bipartisan bill - with 61 sponsors - that would reauthorize the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), sponsored by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Michael Crapo (R-ID) is headed to the Senate floor for a vote THIS WEEK!  This bill is very similar to the bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Leahy and Crapo last Congress and would improve VAWA programs and strengthen protections for all victims of violence (see description of legislation below for an explanation of some of the changes).

Today is World Hijab Day to end Islamophobia

I don't agree with the interviewee's response of reserving her beauty for her family and partner. For my mother and others, it is not about modesty, but cultural expression. However, I love the idea of the day and am so proud it was started by a fellow Bangladeshi American.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21283301

Tuesday, February 12th, 6PM: Activist Night: One Billion Rising

Activist Night: One Billion Rising

Tuesday, February 12, 6PM

Join NOW-NYC's contingent for the One Billion Rising flash mob (to be held February 14 in Washington Square Park) and 'pre-game' for the celebration of women rising everywhere! You'll learn more about VAWA and Governor Cuomo's new Women's Equality Act, and meet new feminist friends and network with leading activists in NYC.