FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: MIRA WEINSTEIN 202-331-0066 Extension 705

NOW PACS HONOR WOMEN OF COLOR IN CONGRESS

FEBRUARY 10, 1998

What: Linking Arms in Dangerous Times -- A Salute to Women of Color in Congress

When: Wednesday, February 11, 1998; 6 pm - 8 pm

Where: National Council of Negro Women Headquarters, 633 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Who: NOW President and NOW/PAC chairperson Patricia Ireland

Honorees and Host Committee members including:

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson
Rep. Cynthia McKinney
Rep. Carolyn Maloney
Rep. Nancy Pelosi
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton
Rep. Diana Degette
Rep. Eva Clayton

"As the 1998 election cycle heats up and NOW prepares for the Women of Color and Allies Summit, we want to pay special tribute to some of the people who speak up for women from positions of power," said NOW President and NOW/PAC chairperson Patricia Ireland.

"What better way to support them than to raise money to help send them reinforcements?" Ireland asked.

The timing of the event couldn't be better, Ireland said. She referred to a recently-released report showing women of color hold far fewer management positions than their white male counterparts -- and earn significantly less even when they do reach management levels.

In addition, in two weeks NOW will sponsor a Women of Color and Allies Summit to discuss the triple obstacles of racism, classism and sexism -- and develop strategies to overcome them.

Finally, women janitors at the Capitol recently filed suit against the Architect of the Capitol alleging wage discrimination. NOW and progressive allies will demonstrate outside the Rayburn House Office Building on Friday, February 20 to show support for the women in this case.

"Women of color in Congress are few and far between. If we are ever to reach our goal of equality, Congress must look more like the country. Two per cent is not enough," Ireland said.

Link to this release at http://www.now.org/press/02-98/02-09-98.html