A Message to Prospective 2008 Candidates for President

Until women earn the same wages as men . . . until reproductive justice is assured . . . until racism and sexism and violence are eradicated . . . until lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender people have equal rights . . . until women are included in the U.S. Constitution . . . women's equality will not be realized.

As a strong supporter of women's equal rights, I am urging you to make women's equality a major component of your campaign and your platform, should you decide to run for president in 2008. I am counting on you to take a leadership role in restoring and strengthening the many protections and guarantees in law and regulation that have advanced women's equality over the last 40 years.

Among others, these include passing strong pay equity legislation; repealing all laws and policies that have eroded women's reproductive rights; halting attacks on Title IX, the equal education law, and improving its implementation; safeguarding Social Security and making it more fair for women; improving all health care programs including Medicaid and Medicare; expanding paid Family and Medical Leave; adopting humane welfare legislation with educational opportunities; fully funding child care assistance; guaranteeing employer overtime pay requirements; opposing all regressive judicial nominees; enforcing and fully funding the Violence Against Women Act; promoting equal marriage rights for all; and developing a fair and just immigration policy that does not scapegoat hard-working people.

Women's equality is not yet a reality. I am counting on you as a candidate for U.S. president, to make closing the equality gap a centerpiece of your campaign in the 2008 elections.

Signed: