The House of Representative may vote this week on its bill (America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, H.R. 3200) to reform our dysfunctional health care system. Act NOW to keep state single-payer options in this important piece of health care reform legislation!

NOW applauds the Senate Judiciary Committee's 13 to 6 vote recommending confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"At the risk of upsetting Senator Sessions, I am pleased that this 'wise Latina' is one step closer to joining Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the high court," said NOW President Terry O'Neill. "As the first Hispanic justice and only the third woman, Judge Sotomayor will add a much needed perspective to a bench dominated by white males."

Please take time now to call or email your representative and senators to urge that no restrictions for women's reproductive health services should be included in health care reform legislation.

While there have been several wins in health care reform legislation concerning reproductive health services, a number of serious threats have emerged in recent days. Abortion rights opponents in both parties are moving to prohibit coverage in any public plan that is part of reform legislation. There is even an effort to prohibit private health insurance companies participating in the proposed health insurance exchanges to stop covering abortion services. Most private insurers currently provide coverage for abortion.

Google AdWords no longer accepts ads for abortion services in the following countries: Germany, Poland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, France, Italy and Spain.

I am honored and humbled to begin serving you as president of the National Organization for Women with my sister officers, Bonnie Grabenhofer (Executive Vice President), Erin Matson (Action Vice President) and Allendra Letsome (Membership Vice President), on this first day of our term. We take our charge seriously: We are here to serve you, the grassroots arm of the women's movement.

NOW President Terry O'Neill stated, "The National Organization for Women welcomes the reintroduction of the Equal Rights Amendment and the renewal of a national dialogue regarding women's equality. We applaud Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), for her dedication and commitment in working tirelessly to help women achieve constitutional equality."

Last week NOW joined a distinguished group of professors, women's rights organizations, and international human rights NGOs in filing an amicus brief with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, seeking to compel the Mexican government to take effective action to stop the on-going epidemic of murders, rapes and disappearances of women and girls in Cuidad Juarez.

"Today is my final day as NOW president. After 36 years as a NOW activist and leader, the past eight years as president, it is quite a challenge to write my final Below the Belt column. The experiences I've had could fill a book, and someday I just might write one. For now, I have this column, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to share with you just a small taste of the incredible experiences I've had leading this extraordinary organization," wrote NOW President Kim Gandy for her final Below the Belt column.

NOW PAC is pleased to endorse Jennifer Brunner for the U.S. Senate. Brunner is a staunch supporter of women's rights and will be a leader in the Senate. Brunner's experience includes owning a small business, serving as a judge and currently, and she is currently serving as Ohio's Secretary of State.

The Washington Post published a lengthy article in its Style section on July 15 about Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry. The article painted an almost sympathetic portrayal of the man who had this to say about the recent killing of abortion provider Dr. George Tiller: "Tiller was a mass murderer, and, horrifically, he reaped what he sowed."
What The Post neglected to address was Terry's horrific brochure targeting Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor as a "radical supporter of child-killing." Also missing from the picture was the impact of Terry's words and actions on women seeking reproductive health services or the health care workers and clinics that provide those services.

Under a single-payer health care system, no one would be denied care, no exclusions based on pre-existing conditions would be allowed, and women could not be charged higher rates because they use the system more for maternity and preventive care -- as happens currently in the private individual market. Take action now to make single payer health care more possible!

Today millions of women and girls will watch and listen as the historic confirmation hearings begin for Judge Sonia Sotomayor, nominated by President Barack Obama for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. If confirmed, Judge Sotomayor will be the first Hispanic justice and only the third woman ever to serve on the high court.

We fully expect the Senate Judiciary Committee to ask probing questions, meticulously interview witnesses, and examine Judge Sotomayor's past decisions. Then we are confident the full Senate will confirm Judge Sotomayor enthusiastically, judiciously, and swiftly.

Fast-food chain Carl's Jr. is currently holding a contest entitled "Hot Chicks Eating Burgers," which promises a grand prize of $1,000, an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas, and a chance to be in an upcoming commercial for the hottest chick eating a burger.

The Washington Post clearly didn't do its homework before posting a photo and caption implying that President Obama was checking out a young woman's rear end, just like all men do.

From the 2009 National NOW conference in Indianapolis to your computer screen, you can now watch video of our terrific feminist speakers online.