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NOW’s core issues are reproductive rights and justice, ending violence against women, economic justice, LGBTQIA rights, racial justice, and Constitutional equality.
Justice Delayed But Not Denied – the ERA WILL Be Ratified by Virginia in 2020
Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt: WASHINGTON – Today, Virginia Republicans are on the wrong side of history, demonstrating a refusal to stand up for equality for women. The Virginia House of Delegates refused to allow a vote by the full House which killed the decades’ long effort in Virginia to ratify the Equal
Indict R. Kelly For Sexual Assault
Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt WASHINGTON – The truth is finally catching up to R. Kelly, whose music career has become a criminal enterprise centered around the exploitation and abuse of young black girls. He must be brought to justice, now. After the Lifetime documentary Surviving R. Kelly detailed the singer’s decades-long pattern of sexual abuse,
Why We Celebrate Susan B. Anthony On President’s Day
Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt: WASHINGTON – The National Organization for Women (NOW) has traditionally celebrated Susan B. Anthony’s birthday (February 15, 1820) instead of President’s Day in honor of this advocate of equal rights – including women’s right to vote. Anthony, who was actually arrested for attempting to vote, would be thrilled
Pope Francis Must Act Now – Reform on Sexual Abuse is Long Overdue
Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt: WASHINGTON – For years, the Catholic Church hierarchy has proven it has no moral authority on issues concerning women. This week, Pope Francis publicly acknowledged for the first time a chronic history of sexual abuse by priests and bishops of nuns, who had been forced to have abortions or give
Justin Fairfax Must Resign – NOW Believes Survivors
Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt: WASHINGTON – The National Organization for Women (NOW) calls on Justin Fairfax to remove himself from the line of succession by resigning his office. Dr. Vanessa Tyson has made the brave decision to come forward and reveal in her own words what happened between her and Virginia Lt. Gov.
Don’t Believe Donald Trump, But Take Him Seriously
Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt: WASHINGTON – As Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union speech, he faced the most diverse Congress in history. Most notably, this included a room filled with women members dressed in white, as Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL) explained, in a show of solidarity against “Republican attempts to roll
We Trust Women’s Reproductive Decision-Making
Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt: “The moral responsibility of decision making [on abortion], at whatever the gestation, should rest with women, their doctors, and their families because only they can know their circumstances and the results of their actions. There is no reason to assume that any higher burden of justification is required
Ralph Northam Must Resign—Then Comes The Hard Part
Statement by National NOW President Toni Van Pelt and VA NOW President Connie Cordovilla: WASHINGTON – Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has no choice but to resign following the reveal of a racist photo published on his medical school yearbook page and his inept and insensitive response. But one politician resigning from one office won’t address
The Criminalization Of Black Girls Must Stop!
Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt: WASHINGTON – It is reported a school nurse and vice principal at Binghamton East Middle School in New York State strip searched four African-American girls because they were acting “giddy” and authorities concluded they might be using drugs. News flash—12-year-old girls act silly sometimes. That’s not a problem
Why We Celebrate Black History Month—And What We Still Need To Learn
Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt and Christian Nunes, Chairwoman of the Racial Justice Committee: WASHINGTON – Every February, we observe Black History Month as a way of celebrating, honoring and absorbing the lessons of the African Americans who have contributed so much to our culture, our communities and our nation. This year, we