June 19, 1997

Dear Activist:

What do the following people have in common:

• Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun
• Rep. Cynthia McKinney
• Women who have filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Smith Barney
• Hundreds of feminist activists
• Elvis

We will all be in Memphis July 4-7 for the National Organization for Women's national conference -- and we hope you'll join us.

Our national conference is an opportunity to meet other activists from your neighborhood and around the country, contribute your ideas to NOW's vision for the next century, share techniques for making a difference in your community, renew your enthusiasm for creating change and . . . have a great time doing it! NOW conferences are open to members and non-members alike.

This year, plenary sessions will feature keynote speeches by Sen. Carol Moseley- Braun (D - IL) and Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D - GA). We will also recognize the women plaintiffs in the sexual harassment lawsuit against Smith Barney as Women of Courage. Plus, what's a conference without a little fun and music? And what better place for music than Memphis, home of the blues? Memphis NOW is lining up live blues bands for Saturday night's entertainment.

The preliminary list of workshops includes grassroots organizing, feminist resources on the web, NOW's Women-Friendly Workplace Campaign, strategies to end racism, securing lesbian and gay civil rights, ending violence against women, stopping the war on the poor, running political campaigns and young feminist organizing. Special constituency caucus meetings provide a forum to discuss issues and problems unique to different communities. In regional caucuses, activists plan action and network with other people from the same geographic part of the country. Also, issue hearings provide opportunities to develop resolutions on a broad range of topics. The membership, as represented by delegates at the conference, then votes on these resolutions.

At this year's conference, we will elect the national officers who will bring NOW into the 21st century. Women have made progress in this century, but we still have work to do. To improve our effectiveness in our struggles for equality, we invite you to join NOW and participate in the discussions to determine the vision for the next century.

Memphis NOW is organizing trips to nearby tourist sites, including the Civil Rights Museum and Graceland. Another planned activity is the Heritage Tour, including visits to Underground Railroad stops in Memphis. Memphis' other attractions are restaurants and clubs along Beale Street, casinos across the Mississippi River, riverboat rides and antebellum mansions.

I hope we can count on your participation at the national conference. You can find more information and online registration at: http://www.now.org/conference.html. You will also find a registration form and flyer about the conference. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Vanessa Salinas, the conference coordinator, at (202) 331-0066 extension 729 or email her at conference@now.org .

Sincerly,

Patricia Ireland President

P.S. If you're already registered for the conference, please pass this information on to a friend.