National NOW Times >> Winter 05-06

NOW Membership VP Latifa Lyles protests at the Senate.

Search the National NOW Times
Chapter Activists: NOW wants to highlight your chapter!

In this Issue

Alito Nomination Sparks Supreme Court Battle

George W. Bush played a scary — and potentially life-threatening — trick on women and girls this Halloween, nominating Samuel Alito, an ultra-conservative federal appeals court judge, to replace swing vote Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court.

Ideology Trumps Science in Ongoing FDA Stall of Plan B

In September, the FDA once again delayed its decision on Plan B — the commercial name of emergency contraception. In this continuing process, in which science is consistently subsumed by politics, women, and young women in particular, are the latest victims of the right wing's war on science.

NOW Activists Look Ahead to '06 Elections

The 2006 elections could be the greatest opportunity in a decade to take back our country from those who, regardless of party, are complicit in the loss of our precious rights and liberties. The stakes for women are enormous and the consequences of failure so immense that it is crucial that we resolve to actively work during this election cycle to wrestle control from the right wing.

Celebrating 40 Years of NOW in Albany, N.Y.

The 2006 conference will take place at the Crowne Plaza Albany (N.Y.) City Center July 21-23, beginning with a kickoff on the evening of Thursday, July 20. You will find amazing workshops, inspiring speakers, and outstanding entertainers.

Viewpoint

NOW President Kim Gandy writes: "We can all disagree on strategy, but we can’t sacrifice the rights of women and people of color (you know, the 'special interests') and call that a winning strategy. Women are active in every coalition on every issue, working across the country for ALL of our rights, and yet our own rights are the first to be tossed overboard."

Perspectives on Katrina

Lately, there has been considerable media focus on the racial fallout from the Hurricane Katrina disaster. A recent poll by the Pew Research Center found that more than two-thirds of blacks believe the response by government officials to the Katrina crisis would have been faster if the victims had been white, while more than 77 percent of whites disagree with that assessment. I think this difference in perception and the media’s response to it has a lot to do with the way blacks and whites approach the issue of racism.

To Juárez for Justice

On Dec. 3, 2005, NOW will hold a demonstration in El Paso, Texas, at one of the bridges to Juárez to call attention to the murders of young women and girls. In addition, NOW chapters and activists will hold a series of actions across the country demanding that U.S. authorities take responsibility.

Hacia Ciudad Juárez por la Justicia

El 3 de Diciembre del 2005 tendremos una demostración en El Paso, Texas para continuar una series de acciones en los Estados Unidos para que las autoridades Estadounidenses tomen las responsabilidad debida.

NOW Kicks Off Wal-Mart Holiday Shopping Campaign

The holidays are quickly approaching—along with some important decisions about where you will spend your holiday dollars.  NOW activists have one clear answer for the public: Find out about Wal-Mart’s discrimination against women before you consider spending your holiday dollars at Wal-Mart!

Victories Abundant in Courts, States for LGBT Community

The LGBT community saw great victories in the courts and the legislatures in the past few months, with the expansion of civil unions, retention of marriage rights, and extension of domestic partner benefits.

FDA Makes Another Bad Decision on Silicone Breast Implants

In September, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an "approvable" letter to Inamed Corp. to market its silicone gel-filled breast implants; the action followed an earlier approvable letter issued to Mentor Corp., a second manufacturer applying to sell its implants. Despite the FDA’s actions, there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that implants – particularly silicone gel-filled implants – pose a serious health threat to women.

FDA Tomo Otra Mala Decisión Sobre Los Implantes de Silicon

En septiembre, la Administración del Alimento y la Droga (FDA por sus siglas en inglés) publicó una letra de "aprobación" al Inamed, S.a. para vender sus implantes del pecho del gel de la silicona; esta acción siguió una letra de aprobación más temprano publicada al Mentor, S.a., un segundo fabricante que aplica para vender sus implantes. A pesar de las acciónes de la FDA, hay suficiente evidencia para demostrar que los implantes — en particular los implantes del gel de la silicona — coloca una amenaza grave de la salud a mujeres.

Peace Protest Draws Thousands to Rally Against Iraq War

Women were front and center as hundreds of thousands rallied in the center of our nation’s capital calling for an end to the war in Iraq. NOW leaders and activists marched, to demand the rebuilding of Iraq and an end to the occupation, and staffed a table talking with peace-activists about NOW’s message that peace is a feminist issue.

Uniquely Intrepid Women Honored at Annual NOW Gala

NOW and NOW Foundation held our third annual Intrepid Awards Gala at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.. Honored for their bold actions were Josie Ashton, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Dr. Jane Goodall.

Legislative Update: Republicans Exploit Katrina Tragedy with Program Cuts, Congress Challenges Pharmacists, VAWA Reauthorization Held Up

In a shameless effort to capitalize on tragedy, the Republican leadership in October pushed for several fast-tracked budget bills that would cut many important domestic programs and further extend tax breaks primarily benefiting corporations and the well-to-do.

Activists Take to Streets to Oppose Roberts Nomination

After John Roberts was nominated to replace Justice Sandra Day O’Connor in July, NOW declared nearly immediate opposition to the extremist nominee, whose friendly manner belied grave opposition to fundamental human rights. NOW rallied with other progressive organizations unified in one message — "No on Roberts" — and led a national caucus of progressive groups dedicated to defeating the nominee.

Campus NOW Chapters Provide Resources for Young Feminists

As young feminists across the country prepare for the oncoming battles, NOW's new young feminist coordinator will help interested students organize Campus NOW chapters and Campus Action Networks (CANs), and identify new ways that NOW can reach young feminists.

Movie Portrays Historic Fight Against Sexual Harassment

When "North Country," opened in theatres around the country on Oct. 21, audiences cheered the strong, clear stand against sexual harassment. Thanks to a unique partnership NOW has forged with the producers, the movie will also give women something to do about those issues in their own communities.

Classified Advertising