NOW President Patricia Ireland, anti-violence trailblazer Christy Brzonkala, director and actor Lily Mariye and other feminist leaders will kick-off the 2000 National NOW Conference with a media briefing on Friday, June 30, at 10:30 AM in the Fontainebleau Hilton, on Miami Beach.

Ireland will give an overview of the conference and NOW's plans for the 2000 election season and beyond.  Brzonkala, whose case was rejected by the Supreme Court 5 to 4 when she brought the first-ever civil action under the Violence Against Women Act, will discuss the struggle to stop violence against women.  Director and actor Lily Mariye, who plays the role of Nurse Lily Jarvik on the NBC television series "ER," will be on hand to talk about the pitfalls and progress of women in film.

Who:        Patricia Ireland, NOW President
                 Christy Brzonkala, Anti-Violence Activist
                 Lily Mariye, Director & Actor

When:      Friday, June 30 at 10:30 AM

Where:     Fontainebleau Hilton
                  4441 Collins Avenue, Room C, Level 2
                  Miami Beach, Fla.

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"This weekend, members of the largest group of feminist activists in the country will come together in one of the most important states in national politics," Ireland said.  "We're going to develop our plan to beat George W. Bush right in his brother's backyard."

For more information, please call 202-628-8669, ext.114.  If you call after June 28, please contact the Conference Media Relations Office at 305-674-4761.

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