NOW Acts

Compiled by Sarah V. Safstrom, Communications Intern

Brooklyn, New York

Brooklyn NOW members celebrated the 30th anniversary of Roe v. Wade by protesting newly-elected state Sen. Marty Golden's anti-abortion positions. Golden supports parental notification, enforced waiting periods, a ban on abortion procedures and abstinence-only sex education. He is also opposed to over-the-counter emergency contraception.

Shirley Ranz, president of Brooklyn NOW, is working hard to prevent Golden from chipping away at New York women's reproductive rights. Ranz and other Brooklyn members picketed outside Golden's office at Bay Ridge Manor, carrying signs and metal coat hangers signifying the back-alley abortions of the past. They chanted phrases like, "Not the church, not the state, women must decide their fate," and "Back alleys no more, abortion rights for rich and poor."

Ranz said, "Marty Golden would want New York State to restrict abortion out of existence." But Brooklyn NOW members, bundled up in scarves and hats, protesting in the freezing cold January weather, proved they weren't going to let their rights be taken away from them.

Albany Area NOW members picketed outside the local Wal-Mart to inform their community about the corporation's unacceptable employment practices.

Albany Area NOW members picketed outside the local Wal-Mart to inform their community about the corporation's unacceptable employment practices. NOW members stood outside the store for 45 minutes before police arrived and during that time handed out literature and spoke to shoppers, many of whom, upon learning of Wal-Mart's workplace abuses, turned around and refused to shop in the store.

Houston, Texas

Montrose Area Houston NOW members continued their 15 year tradition of celebrating Susan B. Anthony's birthday at a party in honor of the feminist foremother. Attendees wore red shawls and sweaters in recognition of Anthony's choice to negate her Quaker background. National Board member Peggy Hall encourages all chapters to publicly celebrate the birth of this influential woman by holding events in women-owned businesses/restaurants.

The North Santa Barbara County chapter of NOW celebrated "Women's Equality Day" by recognizing three outstanding local women: Rebecca Carey, Marion Patterson and Yvette Valadez-Andrade.

Last fall the North Santa Barbara County chapter of NOW celebrated "Women's Equality Day" by recognizing three outstanding local women. The event celebrated the 82nd anniversary of the signing of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which gave women the right to vote.

Rebecca Carey is vice president of the Democratic Club of Santa Maria and was the 2002 "Region 10 California Democratic Party Democrat of the Year." She is also involved in the North Santa Barbara County Women's Political Committee and the Planned Parenthood Advisory Council.

Marion Patterson has spent 20 years helping students with special needs. She works with the local chapter of the American Association for University Women, and coordinates fundraising programs to help fight discrimination in colleges and universities.

Yvette Valadez-Andrade was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 2000. Since 1998, she has worked as a community liaison for Rep. Lois Capps in the Santa Maria Valley. Her focus is on increasing the number of Latina/os eligible to vote.