NOW will organize U.S. participation in the World March of Women 2000 in Washington, D.C.  -- in solidarity with women who will hold similar marches on the same day in nearly every nation on the planet.  While each of the marches will call for an end to violence and poverty, issues of local significance will also be addressed.

"The greatest challenge we will face in 2000 will be the elections.  NOW will use the march to mobilize women's rights supporters across the country and to get out the women's vote," Ireland said.  "Organizing at the local level for the World March of Women 2000 will help us build the momentum we need to elect and reelect more feminists to public office."

NOW's grassroots activists voted to join the worldwide organizing for the women's marches at the 1999 National NOW Conference, held in Los Angeles over the Fourth of July weekend.  Feminists from across the country participated in the conference which focused on images of women in the media.

"One year and one woman were not enough," Ireland said, referring to 1992 which the media dubbed the "Year of the Woman" due to record gains in the election of women candidates and the importance of women voters.  "The new millennium will begin with a Century of Women.  We will not rest until equality is reality for every woman around the world."

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