CONTACT: MELINDA SHELTON ,DIANE MINOR
WHO : NOW national leaders, including President Patricia Ireland
U.S. Reps. Elizabeth Furse (D-Ore.), Patsy Mink (D-Hawaii) and Lynn Rivers (D-Mich.)
State Rep. Barbara Fleischauer (D-W.VA.), former NOW state president
Morgantown, W. Va., Mayor Charlene Marshall, NOW member and Morgantown, W. Va., City Council Member
Teresa Miller, NOW activist
WHAT : In the wake of Election Day 1995, NOW is hosting an in-depth discussion of feminist politics going into 1996 -- featuring the status of the ballot measures in Maine and California, NOW's campaign plans for 1996 and the role of grassroots organizing. NOW's Equality Countdown Campaign involves electing feminist candidates in coordinated, flood-the-ticket style campaigns across the country, getting out the women's vote in unprecedented numbers and defeating oppressive initiatives such as the anti-affirmative action ballot measure in California. A key component in the campaign is a March to Fight the Right set for April 14, 1996, in San Francisco.
WHERE : Longworth House Office Building, entrance corner of Independence and New Jersey avenues, Southeast, 5th floor, Room 1539.
WHY : "We cannot let flat tax fever, attacks on affirmative action or other political ploys dull the memories of voters who understand that this Newt-led Congress has gone too far," said NOW President Patricia Ireland. "We are inviting the media to participate in a discussion of NOW's unique, year-long campaign aimed at putting feminist issues and candidates front and center in 1996."