NOW 1998 Women's Rights Convention and Vision Summit Opens; Board Calls for Equal Representation, Women's Equality Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: NOW CONFERENCE PRESS OFFICE, (716) 546-6400 Extension 7231

NOW 1998 WOMEN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION AND VISION SUMMIT OPENS;
BOARD CALLS FOR EQUAL REPRESENTATION, WOMEN'S EQUALITY BILL

JULY 10, 1998

As the National Organization for Women opens the 1998 Women's Rights Convention and Vision Summit, members of NOW's national board called on Congress and the nation to take radical steps toward women's equality. Drawing parallels to the 1848 call for women's suffrage -- considered radical at the time -- NOW President Patricia Ireland reported the board's call for a comprehensive civil rights bill for women and equal representation in Congress.

"Approaching the 21st century it is past time to recognize women's inalienable rights. In this 150th anniversary year, our movement is stronger than ever and poised to push hard for a comprehensive Women's Equality bill. We will join our allies in pressuring the Congress to pass legislation as we build toward the goal of a women's equality amendment to the U.S. Constitution." Ireland said. She also said she expects the proposed legislation to be a hot topic at the Forum 98 and Celebrate 98 events this summer in Rochester and Seneca Falls.

Another idea many observers will consider radical is NOW's demand for equal representation.

"Women comprise 51% of the country. Why aren't we 51% of the Senate?" Ireland asked. "Quota queen. Bean counters. We'll hear it all. It won't be any worse than the names thrown at the first feminists when they issued their unheard-of call for votes for women 150 years ago."

NOW decided to hold its annual national conference in Rochester this year to commemorate the first women's rights conference 150 years ago. The 1998 Women's Rights Convention and Vision Summit is the first step in NOW's three-year process of defining the next steps for the feminist movement. "How far have we come and where do we still need to go? And what is NOW's role in getting there?" Ireland said when asked the purpose of the Vision Summit.

Part of that vision will include political activism. Friday evening, the NOW PACs held an auction to raise money for the PACs' efforts in the fall. Speakers at Saturday afternoon's plenary session include US Senate candidate Geraldine Ferraro and New York gubernatorial candidate Betsy McCaughey Ross. In addition, Saturday evening's plenary session will introduce additional candidates who are part of the NOW PACs Victory 2000 campaign. Victory 2000 aims to elect 2000 feminists by 2000 -- at all levels from water control board to the US Senate. This year's candidates include NOW leaders running for state house in Tennessee, state senate in Vermont and city alder member in Chicago, among others.

For more information, call the conference press office at (716) 546-6400 extension 7231. Or go to http://www.now.org/

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NOW 1998 WOMEN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION AND VISION SUMMIT OPENS; BOARD CALLS FOR EQUAL REPRESENTATION, WOMEN'S EQUALITY BILL

JULY 10, 1998

NOW 1998 WOMEN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION AND VISION SUMMIT OPENS;
BOARD CALLS FOR EQUAL REPRESENTATION, WOMEN'S EQUALITY BILL