MARCH 2, 1995
As newly elected officials who ran on platforms of "smaller government" and "family values" show their true colors by fast tracking punitive social policy and the radical right agenda, NOW's National Secretary Karen Johnson, a Yale graduate, visits Yale University today to unite activists to fight back.
"It's time to let elected members of the radical right and their supporters know that women and men of conscience will not stand by and watch them reinstate sexism, bigotry and violence designed to put us `in our place,'" Johnson said. "This includes the violence in our homes and in the streets, anti-abortion terrorism and the tyrannnical measures of politicos in the states and in Washington who are waging a war on poor women and children."
Trip Highlights
WHAT: SPEECH to campus community and public on "Changing the Culture of Violence Against Women"
WHERE: Yale University, Yale Law School Auditorium
WHEN: Thursday, March 2, 1995 at 4 p.m.
"On April 9, women and men from around the country will make their voices heard, letting America and the extremists on Capitol Hill know that supporting anti-abortion terrorism, welfare reform that punishes poor women and children and defunding education and career opportunities programs for women and people of color are all forms of violence -just like rape and domestic violence," Johnson said.
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Johnson overcame the hurdle of growing up in a violent urban ghetto to pursue an extraordinary nursing career, spanning over 25 years. She served as an Air Force officer for over 20 years and has a long history of racial diversity, equal opportunity and health activism.
Karen Johnson's visit to Yale to mobilize activists is part of NOW's 100 Days of Action designed to counter Republican plans for the first 100 Days of Congress, as spelled out in the Contract ON America. NOW's actions will culminate in a massive Rally for Women's Lives April 9 on the mall in front of the U.S. Capitol.