FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: MELINDA SHELTON, EXT. 767; DIANE MINOR, EXT. 773

HOW TO GET A GRIP ON WOMEN'S GRASSROOTS REACTIONS ELECTION NIGHT AND THE DAY AFTER

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1996

Nearly 600 candidates at all levels are going into election day 1996 with the endorsement of one of 58 local, state and national PACs affiliated with NOW. And the CNN-lauded NOW/PAC web site -- http://www.now.org/pac/1996/ -- analyzes 356 candidates for U.S. Congress in 40 states, comparing their stands on women's rights issues.

To arrange a big-picture interview with Patricia Ireland, NOW president, PAC chair and author of What Women Want, contact NOW's press department at 202/331-0066, Ext. 767. For background information on a specific endorsement or race, NOW's press department can obtain information from NOW/PAC leaders.

To interview state and local NOW leaders active in key races, here is a list of contacts:

CALIFORNIA

Active in Stop Prop 209 efforts and supporting feminist candidates including promising challengers Michela Alioto, Loretta Sanchez and Ellen Taucher. National NOW held a major protest in California in April, and Ireland has made numerous organizing trips to the state. Contacts: NOW State Coordinator and Stop Prop 209 Co-Chair Elizabeth Toledo 415/699-6160; Beth McGovern or Laura Warner of San Diego NOW 619/238-1824; and Susan Baslor of Long Beach NOW 310-425-7565;

GEORGIA

U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney's tight race for re-election. Contacts: NOW State President Vicki McLennan 404/875-0176; Atlanta NOW's Claudia Schauffler 404/289-8206; or Ireland, who has campaigned for McKinney.

INDIANA

Julia Carson for U.S. House and NOW member Sue Errington for the state senate. Contact: NOW State President Stephanie Ortoleva 317/925-4146 or 460-3275.

LOUISIANA

Mary Landrieu's bid for U.S. Senate. Contact: NOW State Coordinator Linda Sievers 318/345-4159 or National NOW Executive Vice President Kim Gandy, who will be on hand at NOW headquarters election night 202/331-0066, Ext. 767. Gandy is a Louisiana native who has known Landrieu for years and has been to Louisiana to organize support for her.

MICHIGAN

Incumbent Lynn Rivers and challenger Debbie Stabenow for U.S. House. Contact: NOW State President Gloria Woods 517/684-1213.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Jeanne Shaheen for governor and Deborah "Arnie" Arnesen for U.S. Congress. Contacts: Mary Smith 603/228-9368 or National NOW Action Vice President Rosemary Dempsey, who has been organizing there in recent weeks and will also be on hand at NOW headquarters election night 202/331-0066, Ext. 767.

NEW YORK

Challengers Nora Bredes and Carolyn McCarthy for U.S. House. Contact: Long Island NOW Alliance PAC President Carrie Nelson at 516/ 254-4595.

NORTH CAROLINA

U.S. Rep. Eva Clayton's re-election and Harvey Gantt to defeat U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms. Contact: NOW State Coordinator and National Board Member Robin Davis 919/828-7374.

OREGON

Darlene Hooley's effort to unseat U.S. Rep. Jim Bunn. Contact: NOW State President Peggy Norman 503/244-3553.

PENNSYLVANIA

Ruth Rudy for U.S. House and longtime NOW member Barbara Hafer for state treasurer. Contact: NOW State President and National Board Member Barbara DiTullio, who is also heading a Pennsylvania women's vote project, 215/532-1137.

For other races, contact the NOW Press Department, 202/331-0066, Ext. 767. Call the same number to stop by NOW's national headquarters -- right across from the Capitol Hilton -- for an interview election night or the day after.