FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: MELINDA SHELTON, 202-331-0066 x767; LAURA EDWARDS, 771

WOMEN'S VICTORIES IN POLITICS, ON THE LINKS, ON STAGE FOCUS OF NOW'S PALM SPRINGS PARTY WITH A PURPOSE

FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1997

Lesbian comic Suzanne Westenhoefer is back by popular demand at NOW Equality PAC's Party with a Purpose, Friday, March 28, at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Westenhoefer's tongue-in-chic comedy routine left a packed house rolling in the aisles during last year's Dinah Shore Golf Tournament Weekend. California's two most influential elected lesbians -- California Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Sheila Kuehl and Assembly member Carole Migden -- will receive Women of Power awards during a VIP reception hosted by NOW President Patricia Ireland. The reception is at 7:30 p.m., and the $150 ticket includes reserved show seating.

Westenhoefer takes center stage at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Tickets are available online, from the NOW Action Center at (202)331-0066, the Palm Springs Convention Center at (619)778-4100, or Ticketmaster.

"This benefit gives us the chance to celebrate our political gains and share a healthy dose of laughter -- while raising money to elect more feminists like Sheila and Carole to office," said Ireland, who will join political leaders and celebrities at the event. Proceeds from the Party with a Purpose will benefit NOW's PACs and their work with feminist candidates. NOW PACs supported more than 650 feminists in their 1996 races, many of whom now are in positions of power across the country or are well-positioned for a second run with name recognition and established political networks.

For further information, log on to NOW's Web site at http://www.now.org/ or call the NOW Action Center at (202)331-0066.