NOW Charges Ultraconservative Foul Play Involved in Dismissal of YWCA Chief Patricia Ireland

October 23, 2003

"Feminists across the country are outraged that ultraconservative attacks could have resulted in former NOW President Patricia Ireland's recent dismissal as the CEO of the YWCA," said current National Organization for Women (NOW) President Kim Gandy. Ireland had just begun initiating advocacy for the YWCA in Washington, DC, when she was fired last week, less than six months after being hired.

"Ultraconservative groups slammed the YWCA for hiring a strong supporter of women's rights," Gandy said. "The so-called Traditional Values Coalition went a step further, asking Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson to consider cutting off $114 million in grants going to local YWCAs."

"Together the 300-plus local YWCAs are the largest provider of shelter for battered women and the largest nonprofit provider of child care, serving millions of women and girls each year," Gandy said. "What better right-wing target than an organization with so much to lose? Without federal grants, local associations would be hard pressed to continue providing quality child care to working moms and domestic violence services to women who are abused. These women, who need the YWCA the most, would be devastated."

"In concert with the Bush Administration, these bullies dictated the course and leadership of an essential women's advocacy group by threatening to cut funding to the very programs the YWCA cares about most," Gandy said. "The bullies told the YWCA to choose between their new leader—Patricia Ireland—and the women and girls they serve. Talk about a rock and a hard place! And, the YWCA had every reason to worry that the Bush crowd would cut its future grants. Remember when Representative Tom DeLay told trade associations they had to hire Republicans if they wanted any help from GOP lawmakers?"

"The right wing has served a chilling warning to charitable organizations across the country: don't rock the boat, or we'll come after you, too," Gandy said. "Anyone who cares about justice and about the internal independence of groups like the YWCA, the Girl Scouts, the Red Cross and others, must do everything possible to stop this attack on free speech and ensure that the White House gets a new resident. We must get Tommy Thompson, John Ashcroft and George W. Bush out of Washington."

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