More NWPC Headlines

NWPC Congratulates Judy Baker on HHS Appointment

Candidate to Watch: Krystal Ball (VA-1)

Dede Scozzafava Forced to Back out of NY-23 Race;
Pro-Choice Democrat Bill Owens Wins

Pro-choice Democrat Bill Owens won the NY-23 congressional race yesterday with 49% of the vote to Independent Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman's 46%.

The outcome proves that the majority of voters in a predominately Republican district which has not elected a democrat in over three decades do care about and vote on social issues such as the pro-choice issue.

Although NWPC endorsed Dede Scozzafava, (R) has an impeccable record in the New York Legislator, she was immediately attacked for her stand on social issues. It could not have been easy, but Dede never backed away from her pro-choice position or her stand in favor of equal marriage rights.

Scozzafava's social positions on gay rights and abortion split the Republican Party and rallied conservatives behind Doug Hoffman, an otherwise unknown Conservative Party candidate. Ultimately, after a panoply of attacks from rigid anti-choice conservative activists, Scozzafava was forced to step down from the race. She endorsed Bill Owens, the pro-choice Democrat in the race.

The National Women's Politicial Caucus is proud of our endorsement of Dede Scozzafava, the the Republican party's nominee for the special election in NY-23 to fill the vacancy created by John McHugh who was appointed Secretary of the Army by President Obama. As a multi-partisan organization, the NWPC has a proud history of endorsing qualified feminist pro-choice candidates regardless of party affiliation. Unfortunately, over the the past 15 years, pro-choice challengers or candidates running for an open seat have been unable to get through a Republican primary.

Niki Tsongas Endorses Martha Coakley for US Senate

October 29, 2009

Massachusetts congresswoman Niki Tsongas recently announced her endorsement of Martha Coakley for US Senate. If elected in the January 19th special election, Coakley will become Massachusetts's first woman senator. The special election is being held to fill the vacancy left by the death of Senator Kennedy.

Much speculation has been made regarding the apparent gender divide in who is endorsing whom among their congressional representatives, as Representative Tsongas is going against six of her congressional (male) peers in endorsing Coakley. However, Tsongas is quick to point out that her decision had nothing to do with gender, and that she is "supporting the candidate who will be the most effective U.S. Senator."

In a recent interview, Sheila Capone of the MA Women's Political Caucus deftly pointed out: "I wonder if people asked the same question when Congressman Frank endorsed Congressman Capuano. Is he endorsing him because he was a man?"

"A Woman's Nation"

In honor of the fact that women now comprise half of all U.S. workers and two thirds of primary breadwinners or co-breadwinners in American families, Maria Shriver and the Center for American Progress recently came out with a report detailing what this change means for our country. Their foremost point is that our country's institutions haven't kept up with these dramatic changes; they "rely on outdated models of who works and who cares for our families." For example, despite the fact that four out of five families with children at home are not "traditional" (with only the husband employed and the wife at home), the U.S. is still the only industrialized nation without a child-care policy. And despite the increasing size of the women's workforce, the wage gap persists.

Want to learn more? Download the report, or a section of it. You can also check out this outline of the five things you should know about the new proverbial woman's nation, Gloria Steinem's critique of the study, or watch this clip in which the report is discussed on Meet the Press.

Suggested articles on Sotomayor confirmation hearings here

NWPC Announces Endorsement of Robin Carnahan 

July 7, 2009

Preliminary polling of the 2010 Missouri elections shows Carnahan leading against her competitors; she leads Roy Blunt (R) 45/44 and Sarah Steelman (R) 47/36. Currently her main challenge is Kit Bond (R), who is narrowly in the lead at 44/42.

The National Women's Political Caucus wishes to express deep sadness and outrage at the murder of Dr. George Tiller. Most importantly our sympathies go out to Dr. Tiller's family, to his Wichita clinic, and to the pro-choice community at large.

Dr. Tiller heroically provided women indispensable medical services, including abortions, since 1973. Despite several attempts on his life, Dr. Tiller refused to be intimidated and continued to courageously stand up for women's rights. His bravery serves as an inspiration to everyone in the pro-choice movement.

We are pleased for all abortion clinics that Eric Holder, the US Attorney General, delivered the following statement:

The murder of Doctor George Tiller is an abhorrent act of violence, and his family is in our thoughts and prayers at this tragic moment. Federal law enforcement is coordinating with local law enforcement officials in Kansas on the investigation of this crime, and I have directed the United States Marshals Service to offer protection to other appropriate people and facilities around the nation. The Department of Justice will work to bring the perpetrator of this crime to justice. As a precautionary measure, we will also take appropriate steps to help prevent any related acts of violence from occurring.

Dr. George Tiller's murder is a horrible tragedy and an unconscionable act of domestic terrorism. We must support those who bravely dedicate their careers to helping women receive the medical care they deserve.

This tragedy clearly demonstrates that the fight for reproductive justice is by no means won. In the face of such horrendous opposition we must come together in our efforts to ensure the constitutionally guaranteed right to privacy is upheld. Dr. George Tiller dedicated his career, and ultimately his life, to reproductive justice; his loss will be profoundly mourned and remembered.

Washington, DC - "The National Women's Political Caucus is delighted by President Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to fill the vacancy created by Justice David Souter" said Lulu Flores, President of the NWPC. "We are especially pleased that, if confirmed, she would be the first Latina and the third woman to sit on the Supreme Court."

Sonia Sotomayor has an exceptional life story. She is a Puerto Rican woman who grew up in a single parent household supported by her mother, a nurse. After graduation from High School, she won a scholarship to Princeton University and later attended Yale Law School, where she was editor of the Yale Law Review. "Her background and life experiences as a woman and a minority will add a new dimension to the current Court. Judge Sotomayor will bring a common sense approach to the law as it applies to those impacted,"Flores stated.

Sonia Sotomayor currently serves on the 2nd U.S. Court of Appeals in New York, a position she was appointed to by President Bill Clinton. In 1992 she was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York.

Sotomayor spent five years as a prosecutor with the Manhattan District Attorney before going into private practice as a commercial litigator. During that period, she served on the board of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, the New York City Campaign Finance Board, and State of New York Mortgage Agency, where she helped provide mortgage insurance coverage to low-income housing and AIDS hospices.

NWPC will be visiting members of the Senate previously endorsed by NWPC and asking them to confirm Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. In addition, we will activate our local and state chapters to contact their senators in their home states. "We will actively engage and work in coalition with other women's and Hispanic organizations to ensure a swift and fair confirmation process," concluded Flores.

View the press release here.

On May 15th, President Obama announced the nomination of Rosa Rios for U.S. Treasurer. Once appointed, Ms. Rios will have responsibilities for oversight of the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, the U.S. Mint, and the U.S. Savings Bond Division. Furthermore, any U.S. bills printed while she is Treasurer will bear her signature.

Ms. Rios is aptly qualified for the position, as she has more than 20 years of real estate and community development experience under her belt. Most recently, she served as the Managing Director of Investments for one of the leading real estate investment management firms in the U.S. Ms Rios was a member of the Obama Administration's Treasury/Federal Reserve transition team.

"We are extremely proud that President Obama has nominated Rosa Rios for U.S. Treasurer. The National Women's Political Caucus is pleased that our President has continued his commitment to appoint more women and more Latinas to senior level positions, and we look forward to the appointment of more women in the future," said Lulu Flores, President of the NWPC.

 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

And a big "Thanks!" to the following beloved women,

for whom a donation was made in their honor:

Patricia Wendel

Adela Flores

Angela Flores Black

Tina Jackson

Mary Esther Sanchez

Julia A. Cook

In Memory of:

Mayhill Anderson & Lyn Snider

All donations go to our Leadership, Development, Education and Research Fund, dedicated to empowering women by educating and engaging them on policy issues and the political process.  It's kind of like your mom telling you that you can "be anything your little heart desires," except that we tell women - "Hey, how about running for office?" - and give them the tools to do it.

April 29, 2009

Yesterday the Senate voted 65-31 to confirm Katherine Sebelius as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services. She was then sworn in at the Oval Office. Governor Sebelius was the second nominee to the post as Tom Daschle resigned in February due to tax issues. President Obama's cabinet is now complete.

In a speech to congress, President Obama named health care reform as one of his three main priorities amid an economic crisis, thus demonstrating the importance of this appointment to his Administration. Furthermore, the need to finally approve a HHS secretary increased with the swine flu outbreak. Governor Sebelius's experience in modernizing and reforming health care in the state of Kansas makes her uniquely qualified to fill this position.

NWPC endorsed Governor Sebelious during her 2006 campaign for Governor of Kansas.

To read more, click here.

The pay gap has increased by one penny since 2006 ... which means that for every dollar a man makes, we get about 22 cents less.

This doesn't seem like a lot until you add it up and realize that over a lifetime, the average woman loses about $250,000 to the wage gap. Include part time workers and that number is $210,000 - still a large chunk of dough. 

Not convinced? Well here's something else you might not have known: April 28th (Equal Pay Day) signifies how far into the year a woman must work to make what a man made the previous year.

That's why we're inviting you to join us and help promote Equal Pay Day this Tuesday. This year's focus is on the Paycheck Fairness Act (PFA), which has passed in the house but pending vote in the Senate. If passed, it would help close loopholes in the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, allowing victims of sex-based wage discrimination more adequate forms of redress. For a summary, go here.

Want to know what you can do to help? We've got suggestions!

- Wear red on Equal Pay Day - Tuesday April 28th - Since we're are "in the red," women everywhere are pledging to wear red to demonstrate their commitment to eliminating the wage gap.

- Blog, twitter, and facebook your commitment to equal pay - Just because you've got the facts doesn't mean everyone else does!

- Check us out throughout the day on Tuesday - we'll be posting updates on our facebook and twitter on Equal Pay Day. Feel free to re-post or re-tweet, and check us out at (facebook here) and http://twitter.com/nwpc_updates.

- Click here to donate to NWPC so that we can continue our efforts in the fight for equal pay.

On Tuesday April 28, 2009, Sojourner Truth will become the first African American woman honored with a bust in the U.S. Capitol. NWPC President Lulu Flores will be attending the ceremony. First Lady Michelle Obama will unveil the statue; Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi will also be in attendance at this historic event.  The National Congress of Black Women lead the project, which was nearly a 10 year long undertaking. Descendants of Sojourner Truth will also be in attendance.

Truth (1797 - 1883) was a formative presence in both the abolitionist and women's rights movements; she is also especially known for her religious zeal. Born into slavery, she was set free just before New York abolished slavery in 1827. During her childhood, she had visions and heard voices that she attributed to God. Believing that she had a supernatural call to "travel up and down the land," she "sang preached and debated" a message of "God's goodness and the brotherhood of man."

During the 1850s, Truth discovered first abolitionism and then the women's movement, and became heavily involved in both. Her charisma drew large crowds, and she supported herself with her autobiography - a book that she dictated to Olive Gilbert since she was illiterate. In 1864 she went to Washington, DC to help integrate streetcars. It was at this time that she gave Abraham Lincoln a bible when he received her at the White House. Symbolizing this event, Sojourner's descendants will bring a bible to Tuesday's ceremony.  It is signed by more than 300 Battle Creek residents and will be presented to President Obama.

Sojourner Truth is especially known for her "Ain't I a Woman" speech, which she delivered at the Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio. You can read that speech here.

Concerned that women under 40 have a false sense of security when it comes to detection of breast cancer, Rep. Shultz went on Good Morning America, talked to local press, and held a capitol news conference to tell her story and the details a national campaign to educate women, particularly young women, about the necessity of early breast cancer detection. According to Rep. Shultz the EARLY (Education and Awarness Requires Learning Young) Act would use its requested $9 million annual budget to educate women and doctors about "risk factors, warning signs of breast cancer and predictive tools such as genetic testing that can help women make informed decisions about their health." The idea behind the legislation is that the gold standard age for a first mammogram - 40 years old - leads younger women to ignore the truth that they need to checked early and often.

Congresswoman Shultz's story is, like so many survivors, an extraordinary one. She discovered a lump in December 2007; in the past year, she underwent seven surgeries, including a double masectomy and removal of her ovaries. This all occured while running for re-election, yet she kept her illness under wraps while campaigning so that it would not "define" her. She is now going public in the hopes to educate others, and told the Miami Herald:

I wanted to be able to not just stand up and say, "I'm a breast cancer survivor," I wanted to find a gap and try to fill it.  Young women go skipping along through their life, thinking they're invincible, not worrying about breast cancer because they think of it as an older woman's disease.  It just pains me to know that younger women, because they don't know and because they're blown off by physicians many times, and because they squeeze their eyes shut and hope that it's nothing, that their death rate is much higher.

For text of Rep. Shultz's statement, click here.
For a good resource on monthly self-exams, click here.

Senator Gillibrand Urges Senate to Pass
Paycheck Fairness Act

March 17, 2009

On Monday, Senator Gillibrand joined various women's rights groups in New York to push for the Senate's passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act (PFA). Although Congress passed and President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act earlier this year, its companion - the PFA - has only passed in the House, and awaits action in the Senate.

The average woman loses $250,000 over the course of her career to the wage gap. Elaborating on this fact, Senator Gillibrand noted that the missed incomes affects not only women, but those they care for and are attached to. She pointed out that "... when our families don't have access to that income that's deserved, it literally translates to quality of child care, quality of health care, quality of education."

For more information on the Paycheck Fairness Act and how to contact your senators, click here.

To watch a newsclip with video of Senator Gillibrand's speech, click here.

To read her press release regarding the event, click here.

In the middle of Women's History Month, President Obama signed an executive order creating a White House Council on Women and Girls, the first-ever group of its kind.  The council will meet on a regular basis and include members of his cabinet and other agencies.

In his speech detailing his reasoning for the Executive Order the President noted accomplishments of women thus far, such as finally having a Madame Secretary. Yet he also noted the disparities that still exist and the work still left to be done:

"But at the same time, when women still earn just 78 cents for every dollar men make, when one in four women still experiences domestic violence in their lifetimes, when women are more than half of our population but just 17% of our Congress ... when women are 49% of the workforce but only 3% of our fortune 500 CEOs ... when these inequalities stubbornly persist in this country in this century then I think we need to ask ourselves some hard questions and we need to take a hard look at where we're falling short and who we're leaving out and what that means for the prosperity and the vitality of our nation."

To see the video of President Obama's speech, click here.

To read more, click here or here.