• Friday 10:00 am - 11:15 am
• Friday 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm
• Friday 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM
• Saturday 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
• Saturday 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM

Friday 10:00 am - 11:15 am

Millions of Women Dying of AIDS: The Feminist Response is...?

Room: Capri 103

AIDS is the number one killer of young African-American women. "Abstinence-only" sex education programs put women at serious risk. Consider the impact of the current political climate on HIV/AIDS spread among women and girls, the importance of demanding microbicides (woman-controlled HIV prevention tools) and the intersection between the spread of AIDS among women and NOW's core issues.

Duchy Trachtenberg, Anna Forbes

Affordable Housing: A Room of Our Own

Room: Capri 104/105

As the gap between the haves and the have-nots widens under this administration, this workshop will look at homelessness and the state of affordable housing programs, highlighting the threats for women. Explore ways women can get involved in the campaign to reduce homelessness and establish a National Housing Trust Fund.

Tanya Tull, Sheila Crowley, Patricia Sanders

Preventing Violence Against Women: The Next Round

Room: Capri 106/107

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which has sent billions of federal dollars to shelters, police training and legal services to combat domestic violence, has to be reauthorized in 2005. Feminist activists have been meeting for months to consider what changes are needed. How can we achieve a stronger VAWA in 2005 that includes issues of prevention, employment and housing.

Lisalynn Jacobs, Irene Weiser, Karen Brooks

Right Wing: Countering the Promise Keepers

Room: Capri 101

The Promise Keepers are conducting their summer tour. Their message continues to claim men's superiority as "masters" of their families and advocates that women "submit" to their husbands. This workshop explores ways to speak out and conduct education campaigns and actions to unveil the Promise Keepers' misogynistic message.

Marcia Pappas, Olga Vives

Developing a Family Court Watch Program: Vehicle for Change

Room: Grande Ballroom E/F

It's a given that women and children are at risk in family court. Family Court Watch programs are an effective strategy to protect women from the whims of domestic relations judges. Learn how to implement an effective Family Court Watch program that can protect the rights of women and children in your local Family Courts.

Renee Beeker, Karen Husain

411 for Chapters

Room: Ballroom

Tips and techniques to make your chapter run smoothly, keep new members active, and pull off successful actions. That box of files you inherited from your predecessors doesn’t give you all the answers. Make this 411 call and you’ll learn from NOW organizers and leaders who can point you in the correct direction!

Marla Patrick, Kimberly Martin, Lindsay Bond, Barbara Hays

Friday 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm

The War on Drugs: A Stealth Attack on Women and Youth

Room: Capri 101

They say drug laws and policies protect families, yet this administration’s approach to drug use and drug users threatens youth, women, and families. Explore why an expanding number of feminists have chosen to devote their lives to the reform of our country’s drug laws and policies.

Scarlett Swerdlow, Jennifer Knight, Marisa Garcia, Deborah Peterson Small

The Right Wing's Bogus Notions for Welfare Reform

Room: Capri 108

Bogus "welfare reform" has denied poor women the opportunity to gain the skills and jobs needed to climb out of poverty permanently. Risky marriage promotion programs, weak protections against domestic violence and funding for conservative religious groups and "Fathers' Rights" programs are part of the story. Come brainstorm about empowering poor women.

Lisalynn Jacobs, Marion Wagner, Jan Erickson

Owning the Movement: Young Feminist Empowerment

Room: Capri 106/107

Over a third of the marchers in the March for Women’s Lives in Washington D.C on April 25 were young. It is crucial to harness the energy of young feminists, who are the future of our movement. This workshop from the NOW Young Feminist Task Force will provide an opportunity to share skills and knowledge with other young feminists for this year’s election and beyond.

Atima Omara-Alwala, Latifa Lyles

Using the Web for Organizing

Room: Capri 109

Most everyone knows how to surf the web.  But how many activists feel comfortable using the web and email to organize around our issues?  Explore basic skills for internet activism, including crafting e-mail alerts, purchasing a domain name, starting an email or web discussion group, and creating a basic web site. Come with ideas and questions. (Repeated on Saturday, 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM.)

Kris Moody

Ratification of ERA in Florida Is for Everyone

Room: Capri 103

Only three more states could make the dream of equality under the law a reality for women. This workshop discusses: prospects in the 2005 Florida Legislature for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and its effect on the nation, why we're still working on this despite the 1982 failure of ratification, and what the ERA will do for cases of sex discrimination. Make the dream come true!

Linda Miklowitz

Friday 3:00 pm- 4:15 pm

Wal-Mart: Merchant of Shame

Room: Capri 104/105

Wal-Mart, a NOW Merchant of Shame since 2002, has the dubious distinction of being the most sued corporation in the United States. A judge in San Francisco has certified a class action suit filed on behalf of 1.6 million women who claim discrimination in promotions and pay. What can NOW activists do to stop unfair labor practices by a giant retailer?

Olga Vives, Bill Meyer

Economic Justice: Feminization of Poverty

Room: Capri 103

Poverty and families in crisis continue to carry a feminine face. Economic injustice flourishes under the neon lights in Las Vegas and all across the nation. Learn about the economic exploitation of women lurking not just behind the glitz but in communities and workplaces everywhere.

Susan Chandler, Deborah Peterson Small, Heather McGee, Alicia Smalley

Campus Mobilization Around an Issue: Emergency Contraception

Room: Capri 106/107

Campuses are microcosms of society. They have their own hot-button issues, imbalances of power and privilege, political processes and high profile activists. Using EC as an example, learn how to identify the issues students face and address those issues in a way that benefits both campus and community, including recruiting volunteers and registering voters.

Lindsay Bond, Nitche Ward, Suzannah Porter

Countering Attacks on Reproductive Rights in the States

Room: Capri 101

In dozens of states, choreographed stealth attacks on reproductive rights are coming in rapid-fire succession. Girls' and women's access to abortion and contraception are in grave danger of disappearing unless activists hold state legislatorss accountable. Come and share your experiences and hear strategies from NOW activists fighting to protect these basic freedoms.

Duchy Trachtenberg, Connie Hannah, Jan Erickson

Making Media Work for NOW and Women's Rights Issues

Room: Grande Ballroom E/F

Learn how to use the press to introduce people to NOW and build your local membership. This workshop will include sensible and clever ways to deal with the media, how to write a press release, building media lists, writing letters to the editor and placing your news story in the media. We'll share tips and tricks to help draw attention to your event or issue through effective messaging and media relations.

Jenny Thalheimer, Colleen Dermody

Saturday 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm

Racial Justice: Beyond Black and White

Room: Capri 104/105

The issue of racial justice goes far beyond black and white. This workshop will focus on the many issues of diversity occurring within the United States. Join in this discussion to examine racial issues within the Asian American, Native American, Hispanic American and Arab American communities.

Rozita Lee, Irma Herrera, Gail Garcia McWilliams, Gennie James

Sexual Assault in Athletics and the Military

Room: Capri 103

Whether you have a university, a military installation or sports team in your community-- will you be prepared when the inevitable happens? Violence against women within these institutions is making the headlines with increasing frequency.  Learn how NOW members near Fort Bragg, N.C., and the University of Colorado at Boulder addressed the stunning revelations of violence against women at these institutions and how you can be supportive and prepared when it happens near you.

Regina Cowles, Roberta Waddle, Irene Weiser

Love Your Body

Room: Capri 101

Imagine your life without obsessions about body image. Wendy Shanker, author of Fat Girls Guide to Life, Dr. Abby Aronowitz, author of Your Final Diet and Jessica Weiner, author of A Very Hungry Girl discuss the impact of images of women in the media, social pressures and eating disorders.

Wendy Shanker, Dr. Abby Aronowitz, Jessica Weiner

Marriage Equality and Amending the Constitution

Room: Capri 106/107

Marriage equality could be a reality in our lifetime. Will the right wing be able to stop it? Learn about proposed marriage-ban amendments to the U.S. and individual state constitutions and explore actions NOW activists can take to promote marriage equality.

Susan Bramlet-Lavin, Bonnie Grabenhofer, Olga Vives

Saturday 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm

NOW on Campus!

Room: Capri 103

Current NOW structure offers only one option for high school and college students to organize grassroots groups, and a fine option it is: chapters. However, sometimes the chapter structure doesn’t work well for students in a campus setting, especially when the school sets limitations on membership. Come and find out about our new alternative!

Allendra Letsome, Alexis Renwanz, Lindsay Bond, Barbara Hays

Iraq and Afghanistan: The Impact of War on Women

Room: Capri 104/105

In Iraq and Afghanistan, the ravages of the U.S. "rescue/invasion" have taken their highest toll on women and children.  Come and learn how war destroys the lives of women and children on all sides of any conflict, at home or abroad, and why peace is a feminist issue.

Sonia I Dueño, Olga Vives, Alice Costandina Titus

Zap Actions: Fast and Powerful

Room: Capri 101

We live with a “sound bite” media mentality where it's difficult to garner significant press coverage. Well, sometimes less is more! Zap actions are quick to plan, inexpensive, and take only a few activists - yet they draw media attention and are lots of fun. Hear about favorite Zap actions and brainstorm new ones on: presidential elections, same sex marriage, abuse of women in the military and more.

Dr. Janet Canterbury, Patricia Ireland, Hannah Olanoff, Bertha Smith

Using the Web for Organizing

Room: Grand Ballroom

Most everyone knows how to surf the web.  But how many activists feel comfortable using the web to organize around our issues?  Explore basic skills for internet activism, including crafting e-mail alerts, purchasing a domain name, starting an email or web discussion group, and creating a basic web site.  Come with ideas and questions. (Repeated on Friday 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM.)

Kris Moody