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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.
Ending DACA Will Stoke Fear — and Harm Women
Statement of NOW President Toni Van Pelt Donald Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program will decimate protections for immigrant youth–and sends a message to immigrant women, children, and families that their safety is in jeopardy. Trump announced Tuesday that the DACA program would formally cease six-months from now, and
5 Things to Be Thankful for on Women’s Equality Day
Original Publication: SELF By Zahra Barnes NOW President Toni Van Pelt tells SELF: “This Women’s Equality Day—and every day—I am grateful for grassroots activists across the country. Feminists working in their communities have been at the heart of every major victory women have achieved: sending women of color to Congress, securing marriage equality, defeating this summer’s monstrous health
NOW Applauds Oregon Gov. Kate Brown for Signing Groundbreaking Reproductive Rights Legislation
Statement of NOW President Toni Van Pelt The National Organization for Women applauds Gov. Kate Brown of Oregon, who yesterday signed the nation’s most progressive reproductive health legislation into law. Oregon’s Reproductive Health Equity Act creates groundbreaking safeguards against the tide of anti-choice legislation sweeping the nation–ensuring that every Oregonian will have comprehensive access to
Charlottesville White Supremacists Are On the Wrong Side of History
Statement of NOW President Toni Van Pelt The white supremacists who launched a brutal protest against the city of Charlottesville, Virginia’s plan to remove a statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee must be held to account for their violence and hate speech, says Toni Van Pelt, president of the National Organization for Women (NOW).
Google Puts Corporate Interests Over Women’s Safety
Statement of NOW President Toni Van Pelt Google has once again turned heads this week, because of its sexist and misogynistic treatment of employees. But let’s not forget that Google’s mistreatment of women extends far beyond its Mountain View, Calif. headquarters. Their lobbyists are working hard to protect laws that encourage online sex trafficking–and the exploitation of girls and
Urgent Message to Democratic Leaders: You Can’t Have Economic Justice Without Reproductive Justice
Statement of NOW President Toni Van Pelt The Democratic party, determined to win back the majority in the House of Representatives at any cost, is throwing its support behind anti-choice candidates. That’s a huge mistake. Reproductive justice is at the heart of women’s health, welfare, safety, and economic security. This week Rep. Ben Ray Luján,
Pay Equity Must Include Racial Justice
Statement of NOW President Terry O’Neill on Black Women’s Equal Pay Day Today, Black women catch up in wages to what white men earned in 2016. It’s a striking annual reminder to pay attention to the economic inequality African-American women face, and how it is–tragically, persistently–driven by both race and gender. Black women earn just
While You Were Sleeping: Senate Narrowly Defeats Repeal of Obamacare
Statement of NOW President Terry O’Neill Women around the country are breathing a sigh of relief today, as Senate Republican leadership’s latest attempt to throw millions off their health insurance, and block women from using Planned Parenthood for their reproductive care, was once again defeated. Appallingly, Donald Trump responded from the White House with a
Veteran activist from Florida chosen as NOW’s new leader
Original Publication: Associated Press, July 2, 2017 Associated Press writes: “A long-time feminist activist whose campaign resume noted that she had an illegal abortion in 1968 has been elected as the new president of the National Organization for Women. Toni Van Pelt, 69, who has been active for decades in NOW’s Florida affiliates, was elected
Nancy Mead Honored as Woman of Achievement by Oregon Commission for Women
We are thrilled to share the news that Nancy Mead, past president of Central Oregon Coast NOW and current Oregon NOW and National NOW board member, will receive the Oregon Commission for Women (OCFW) 2016 Women of Achievement Award, along with Chanpone Sinlapasai-Okamura. Those of us who have had the pleasure of knowing and advocating